Beauty Junkie in SF - Makeup, Fragrance, Skin, Body, and Hair Care Product Reviews

New SIte

2009-09-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

You should be directed automatically to my new site but if not click here.

So Sorry!

2009-09-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

I'm slacking on posting this week, because my new site is very close to being ready... stay tuned!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-08-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Enter for a chance to win LashMantra Eyelash Growth Serum, a triple pack of Swerve neck razor and an Anti-aging Beauty Secrets E-book at Beauty and Personal Grooming

The Makeup Blogger shows you how to get, Padma Lakshmi's new look using products from Beautyticket.com!

Beauty Junkie in SF discovers an awesome organic haircare line, right here in the Bay Area (YAY area!). Check out Innersense!

Fresco Phyrra has her very first contest! Go enter her ecoTools Giveaway!

Elke reviews the latest mascara from Covergirl.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Nars Single Eyeshadow in Tropic from Nars summer 2009 collection.

The Makeup Divas reviews Tarte's New Lifted Natural Eye Primer and is giving away three of them! Enter HERE for your chance to win one.

Toya of The Life of A Ladybug introduces you to her lovely dance friend Azhia (AKA Christine Millan) and her makeup DVD Basic Makeup for Performance and Photography.

Face Candy tries on MAC by Jin Soon's new Cool Reserve Nail Lacquer.

Find Beauty Junkie in SF on Facebook

2009-08-28T15:40:00.001-07:00

I finally got my blog feed to work on Facebook, so if you haven't already log in and become a fan of Beauty Junkie in SF... please!

Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss

2009-08-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

I have been using these lip glosses for quite awhile, yet I keep forgetting to share them with you all. They are an absolute joy, I must say! Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss are the perfect combination of soft, not sticky moisture and high impact shine. My favorite go-to shade is Whisper, a very sheer nude color that is perfect for everyday use and great when I don't want my lips to overpower my eye makeup. Like today, I felt like doing a dramatic cat eye with thick black eyeliner, so my lips just needed to be pale and a bit shiny. It isn't quite as shiny as some, but the moisture factor wins me over. Sometimes I just need softness, no stick! So these glosses are permanently in the bottom of my purse for easy access.

Gloss Lovely!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Mousse

2009-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Herbal Essences' latest line of yummy smelling products is called Tousle Me Softly, meant to give you soft touchable hair that is messy but in a good way. They of course smell awesome, scented with wild violet and pomegranates. I immediately reached for the Tousle Me Softly Mousse, since I use volumizing mousses all tht time, and unlike the spray gell or th hairspray, I know it would at least give me bouncey, fluffy hair after a blow dry. I was right. It is now in my extensive rotation of pre-blow dry products.

Tousle Lovely!

OPI Espana Collection Fall 2009

2009-08-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

My nail partner in crime came back into town this last weekend, so I think I may just be back to weekly manicures... eck for my wallet. Oh well, it is such good quality time. Last saturday I found colors for both my hands and toes on the counter of the salon on the latest OPI collection display.

Shades above: Barefoot in Barcelona, Can You Tapas This? Give Me Moor!
Pink Flamenco, No Spain No Gain, Ate Berries in the Canaries

The OPI Espana collection is so fresh and perfect for fall, I am loving it. I wish I was traveling to Spain instead, but I have a feeling this is the closest I'm getting. I picked Barefoot in Barcelona (top set, top left) for my teeny tiny finger nails, since it is a subtle and yet still pretty pink beige. For my toes I grabed Conquistadorable Color (bottom set, second from right), a hot ruby red that makes me happy everytime I look down. And really, isn't that the point of a pedicure?

Shades above: Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees, Here Today… Aragon Tomorrow, Manicurist of Seville.Pamplona Purple, Conquistadorable Color, Bullish on OPI.

Nail Lovely!

Innersense Organic Beauty Pure Essential Hair Bath and Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner

2009-08-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

A great addition to the expanding array of organic beauty products is Innersense Organic Beauty. They are a local Bay Area company, based in Walnut Creek, CA, making great organic products. Innersense products are a combination of carefully selected Certified Organic and Biodynamic oils, extracts and essences. These natural ingredients create the exquisite character and specific benefits of each Innersense product. All formulas are made with Certified Organic ingredients known for their nourishing, hydrating, antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Innersense formulas are free of harsh irritating chemicals including sulfates, atificial fragrances & colors.

My hair salon in the Mission district of SF just started carrying their products, and couldn't stop raving about them. Both my stylist and the owner of the salon had tried them out and were hooked. Needless to say I walked away from my cut and partial highlight with two bottles from Innersense.

The Pure Essential Hair Bath is an amazing shampoo, made from Apricot Surfactant, Rooibos, Orange Flower Oil, Lotus Flower Essential Oil, and Cranberry Seed Oil. The natural fragrance is grapefruit jasmine, which i love love love.The big difference you'll notice with this shampoo is how it makes your hair feel after it is washed out. You are probably used to your tresses feeling all smooth and soft right after shampoo, but this makes them feel more rough, think squeaky clean. That is because they don't use any waxes or sulfates that leave residue like your are used to. I think it feels more like my hair is actually clean! Free of any dirt and gunky I picked up during the day. And a little goes a long way, since it still does suds up!

The squeaky feeling is quickly gone with an application of their Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner. The conditioner is made with Rice Bran Oil, Soy Protein, Oat Kernel Extract, Orange Flower Oil, Rooibos, and Shea Butter. This conditioner is formulated from Certified Organic proteins, aromatic oils and flower essences. It is lightweight and build-up free so it moisturizes and strengthens the hair, improving resiliency while imparting reflective shine. I like it well enough, but I tend to use quite a lot, so I'm going to run out before I do the Hair Bath.

I would definitely recommend that you try Innersense for yourself. I love the way my hair looks and feels, and my dry scalp (its not dandruff!!!) has greatly improved.

Organic lovely!

Tarte Lock and Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo

2009-08-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Although I tend to get stuck in ruts when it comes to my makeup, sometimes I reach in deep into my overflowing case of color and find something I haven't used in ages. That happened yesterday when, after my usual primer and pale pink shadow, I felt the need to go out of the norm.Thats was when I saw Tarte's Lock and Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo in this pretty shade of pewter called Gunmetal. First I thickly lined my top lid with the liquid-like brush end, then I rolled on top of that the powder side. The result was a pretty grey-purple eye that was dramatic without looking too heavy or over the top for daytime. Beauteous!

Shine Lovely!

MIA

2009-08-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry this week has been a little light on content. I've been re-designing my site and so most of my effort has been going there. In a few weeks, you'll see my new and improved look!

Tarte F&F Sale: Had to share, it's that good!

2009-08-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bar

2009-08-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bar are just not my cup of tea. They smell like sickly sweet sugar syrup. I personally don't want to smell like dessert in the shower. I prefer to eat my desserts, not bath in them. But I am sure my girlfriends who loves vanilla perfumes would like this body wash and body bar, which is while I will be gifting it to them shortly. I'll stick to my fruity, citrus scented body washes, thank you.

Suds lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-08-17T09:23:00.001-07:00

Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The Treatment Powder Foundation SPF15.

A Touch of Blusher reviews RMK Ingenious Powder Cheeks.

Decorative Diva shares her thoughts with you on a new Coconut Bodywash.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checks out Elizabeth Arden's Intervene Line in her attempt to postpone getting older!

Beauty Junkie in SF discovers Sonia Kashuk has a blush for everyone, as long as you can get to Target!

Face Candy interviews purse designer Katherine Kwei about her beauty routine. Plus, WIN A $920 Katherine Kwei purse!

Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews and swatches the Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette.

Girl Gloss looks at Three SPF 15 or Higher Lip Balms for Sunny Days.

Elke starts her 5 Minute Summer Makeup How To Series, in 6 easy steps.

Toya from The Life of A Ladybug wants to know if you'll do just about anything for the beauty and strength of your hair, like ... put bull semen on it!

Link Lovely!

ME! Bath Shower Sherbet Body Scrub

2009-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

My favorite thing about summer is that it doesn't rain!But the thought of running through a rain storm on a warm summer evening is kinda appealing. Think I even got to once many summers ago when I was volunteering at a camp in Ohio.

ME! Bath's Shower Sherbet in Summer Rain is supposed to evoke these kind of memories. It mostly made me feel refreshed and awake. It is a thick sugar-based body scrub that you scope up in your hands like a big scope of ice cream (minus the cold factor). As you rub it in to your damp skin in the shower, it slowly melts and leaves a very subtle layer of softening oils. The sugar scrubs away dead skin cells and leaves you feeling clean and refreshed. I love that the container is exactly like a pint of sorbet. Yum... makes me hungry!

Sorbet Lovely!

Sonia Kashuk Blushes For Everyone

2009-08-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

I think blush is the most underrated color item in most women's beauty routine. Regardless of how pretty you feel, a little color on your cheeks makes you feel like a glowing beauty. Sonia Kasuk has a blush for everyone, at a great low price (I love Target... only good thing about working outside of the city, I can go to Target on my way home!). depending on what foundation you prefer, here is what I would recommend:

If you wear powder foundation (like me): Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush is a traditional powder blush. I have been loving it as an everyday blush, both in a light pink color or a more subtle mauve. I use a big powder brush (one I've had forever from Sonia's line actually) and it goes on light enough... nothing worse that over doing it on blush.

If you wear liquid foundation: Sonia Kashuk Crème Blush in the same little disk container that the powder blush comes in but its in creme form. I find these harder to apply when I'm wearing powder foundation, but if you wear something more liquid-based or none at all, these might work perfect. A little goes a long way, but the colors are subtle and pretty too.

If you wear little or no foundation: Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint is a liquid form of blush that is surprisingly easy to use. It is fairly sheer, but don't go to too crazy, a half a pump will do. and then blend, blend, blend.

All of these blushes are just color, no shimmer involved. So if you wants a little more sparkle or glow, you'll have to use a highlighter on top.

Blush Lovely!

Bliss The Youth As We Know It Concentrate

2009-08-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

Although I haven't tried too many, I've been a big fan of the few Bliss products I've gotten my hands on. My latest obsession is The Youth As We Know It Concentrate. It is a light weight moisture lotion put on after exfoliating with Peeling Groovy facial serum. It has pearl illuminators to give my skin some luminosity. The hydration is supposed to be longer lasting than most since the Hydroplex-3 (used in Bliss's in-spa The Youth As We Know It facial) binds to the skin to continue to moisturize over time. I just like that is is super light weight, smells like yummy grapefruits and absorbs quickly.
You can use alone as a light weight moisturizer or under The Youth As We Know It Moisturizer for a double dose of hydration.

Hydrate lovely!

P.S. Bliss has a special offer August 12th though August 16th:

OPI He's My Coral-Friend Nail Polish

2009-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've always been more of a pink gril than a red girl. In fact, I think I own one piece of red clothing, and it rarely comes out of my closet. Recently though I have started to like more orangey-red colors for my nails, especially in the summer months. OPI's He's My Coral-Friend is super cute. It is from their Sun-Believable collection, which is full of perfectly summery shades. It is an almost clearish orange-red (i.e. coral!) with tons of shine and no shimmer. The picture doesn't do it justice at all!!! I loved it on my toes, but it killed on my fingers. So fresh and fun, perfect for a mid-summer manicure before a weekend by the pool... now if the summer in SF would just come already!

Sun Lovely!

L'Oreal's Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

2009-08-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

I've found yet another mascara that I really like... and best of all, you can get it at the drugstore. I am a big proponent of tossing your mascara every 3-5 months, which is hard to do if you spend $20 bucks on it! But L'Oreal's Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara is cheap, looks great, and is easily replaceable.

First of all the brush is just fabulous. It is big a fluffy, yet doesn't get in the way but allows you to get each and every lash. The result is long, full, feathery lashes that instantly curl upwards and make my eyes look HUGE. Yet its doesn't like thick and cakey like some volumizing mascaras. Its just the right amount of oomph. The packaging is nice too, a well sized tube in shiney black plastic. It makes it look way fancier than your typical drugstore mascara. Well done L'Oreal. Next time I run our of the house and then realize i found to put on mascara, I know what I am picking up at Walgreens.

Lash Lovely!

Yes to Carrots C Through the Dry Spell Deliciously Rich Body Butter

2009-08-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you read this blog religiously (I'll pretend there are lots of peopole out there that do) you might have picked up on the fact that I love body butter. Honestly, I laugh in the face of regular body lotions. They are runny and wet, and the little moisture they provide doesn't seem worth the hassle. But a good body butter is worth its weight in gold.

Yes to Carrots C Through the Dry Spell Deliciously Rich Body Butter is an excellent option for body butter. Not only can you buy it at the drugstore, it smells nice and is full of delicious shea butter, cocoa butter, carrot oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamins A and E. For under $20 you get a huge tub of delicious cream that will quench your skin and actually last.

Butter Lovely!

Break Week

2009-07-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you all know I'm taking a week off from Blogging. Let's call it a stay-cation if you will. I just need a week to myself and actually a chance to go through all my products and organize them, so I can figure out what to write about!

Take care and I'll see you next week

Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Hair Care

2009-07-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

On my recent weekend trip home to Seattle, I had a chance to try out a new set of shampoo and conditioner. Kiehl's sent me cute little lab samples that were perfect for the plane and exactly enough for 2 or 3 washes. The Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo and Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner lived up to all my hopes and reams, let me tell you. It smelled AMAZING (my number one requirement) and did an excellent job cleaning and detangling my hair. In these economic tiems, it can only be a good thing to use color preserving products so you don't have to go to the salon as often for touch ups. I haven't seen my stylist in WAY too long (almost 5 months... eck!). I haven't tried the Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak yet, but I think I will this weekend. It is supposed to give me extra shine and radiance. Yes please!

Even more exciting news, this is Kiehl’s first hair collection that’s Paraben-Free, Sulfate-Free, and Silicone-Free. They use Sunflower Seed Oil to preserve hair color, condition and moisturize. This is also Kiehl’s first collection formulated specifically to preserve and protect color vibrancy while helping to repair damage caused by chemical processing. Yay! Did I mentions is smells amazing?!?! Must be the apricot kernel oil and sunflower oil.

Sunflower Lovely!

Kings & Queens King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot Bar Soap

2009-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

While most guys are white bar o' soap kind of guys, you'd be surprised at how many get excited when given fancy (and free) soaps and lotions to try. Last night I brought a bunch of products to my guy friends' house for them to try. They were SUPER excited. Among the products was Kings & Queens King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot Bar Soap

Fun Fact: Did you know Black Pepper was the most sought after spice from antiquity until the Middle Ages? One of the best peppers comes from Sumatra (in Indonesia), where legends about the constant struggle between local kings, colonialists and pirates are still told. Fortunately, today there is no need to fight for pepper… since we can enjoy it any time, and in a delectable combination with sultry Bergamot. It also is rich in antioxidants like Pomegranate, Blue Lotus and Malachite extracts to achieve "royal" skin. It smells very interesting, not your typical cheap overdone "man" smell, but really spicy and hearty.

It might be a little fancier that a plain bar or white soap, but I think the man in your life would love to try it out... you'll see.

Soap lovey!

LaLicious Island Guava Body Butter

2009-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

LaLicious Body Butters are perfect for moisturizing your elbows and knees during the summer months. The Island Guava scent makes me feel like I'm on vacation in Hawaii. As with most body butters, this cream is Shea Butter based. Renowned for its therapeutic and healing properties, Shea Butter is the ideal moisturizing ingredient. The whipped consistency of this cream allows for intense hydration without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Aloe is added to help heal dry, damaged skin. I apply it right after I get out of the shower and then I have soft, silky legs and arms all day! It costs $24 for 8oz and can be found at countless spas and beauty stores across the country or on their website.

Butter Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Beauty Anonymous reviews Givenchy Mister Mat Matifying Foundation Primer.

StyleBell shows you how to straighten and make big curls with the Instyler, the first rotating barrel styling iron for your hair.

This summer, tarte channels Pucci with their eyeQuatic Waterproof Summer Essentials Set, and Raging Rouge explains how to use it!

Decorative Diva shows you a Fiery look from Aromaleigh's Hot in the City Collection!

Cybelesays.com is cleaning out the beauty closet and readers are winning the contents! Click here to enter.

A Touch of Blusher reviews Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor.

Beauty Junkie in SF tries the mother of all mineral face powders and LOVES it. Hail to the Halo!

Link Lovely!

Benefit's One Hot Minute Bronzing Powder

2009-07-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Benefit's newest powder is HOT HOT HOT... I guess. One Hot Minute is a good loose powder bronzer. Its meant to be lightly dusted all over, head to toe, for a subtle bronze and slight glow. I like it well enough, but be warned: too much is TOO much. I recommend using this with a fan brush like the one that comes with, or with a big loose powder brush that you swirl into the product and then tap, tap, tap off the excess. It is supposed to be a rose-tinted bronze, that works on all skin tones. I can't really vouch for that, but it compliments my fair, peachy pink complexion nicely. Try it yourself at a Sephora near you!

Bronze Lovely!

KENZO RYOKO 2009 Fragrance Collection

2009-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Summertime calls for travel. Travel calls for tiny versions of your favorite beauty products. KENZO has answered this call with their RYOKO 2009 collection of fragrances.

RYOKO is a pocket-sized, ultra-light fragrance pebble. Each smooth RYOKO, which means travel in Japanese, houses one of Kenzo’s beautiful scents in a series of five colorful, ergonomically-designed stones that fit into the palm of the hand and is TSA-friendly (less than 3 oz). The Ryoko pebbles are saturated in high-gloss color and are suspended in a see-through box, which is meant to signify the irony of modern travel: motion without movement.

For her:
FlowerbyKenzo eau de parfum nomad spray
KenzoAmour eau de parfum nomad spray
L’eauparKenzo eau de parfum nomad spray

For him:
L’eauparKenzo pour homme nomad spray
Kenzo Homme nomad spray

I tried the L'eauparKenze scent, a watery floral scent. Its surprisingly fresh and yet heavy at the same time. A fun change from my fruity florals, so I'm adding it to the rotation. And in my little ziplock bag, it didn't spill or leak on the plane. Sold!

Spritz Lovely!

Yes to Tomatoes Trouble Free Facial Wash

2009-07-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Washing your face with something natural just makes sense, right? Well The Yes to family has another great product I absolutely love, from their Tomato line. The Yes to Tomatoes Trouble Free Facial Wash is an awesome simple face wash that just does it right. It smells really nice and very expensive! The slightly pink gel-like soap lathers very well and removes eye makeup like a breeze. The wash contains organic watermelon extract that removes excess oils and other impurities, and no yucky paraben or anything harsh. It also has purifying Dead Sea Minerals and the powerful anti-oxidant Lycopene straight from organic tomatoes which maintain your skin's pH balance. I am going to run through this stuff rather fast though, since it comes out of the tube quickly and I usually get more than enough in my hand.

Tomato Lovely!

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

2009-07-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Forever on the quest to find the perfect foundation powder, I finally got to try Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. At $59 it is not a cheap option, but it is now my current favorite! And actually compared to the popular BE Bare Minerals which is $29 for .3oz, Halo is a better deal at $59 for .75oz.

The Halo container is awesome. You spin the sifter and powder slowly shaves off into the top, so there is no mess and no wasted product! I used a BE Kabuki brush to apply (the one that comes with Halo is rather small) and it goes on like a dream. It is very light weight and the Light shade matches my skin tone perfectly, not too peachy or orange at all. The powder is supposed to be both hydrating and fight the signs of aging with amino acids, minerals and real gold. Not to mention Halo is Oil-free, Talc-free, and Paraben-free. All I know so far is it evens out my skin tone and makes my face look fresh and clean.

I am happy I finally got to try Halo and I think you should too. Only thing that might hold you back is the limited shades available. Hopefully Smashbox will work on having darker shades in the future, so everyone can try this awesome foundation.

Powder Lovely!

Sonia Kashuk Dramatically Defining Long Wear Gel Eye Liner

2009-07-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

I had a really fun weekend, despite having little to no plans going into it. Both Friday and Saturday night I rocked a fun eye look, which I got many compliments on. I used Sonia Kashuk's new Dramatically Defining Long Wear Gel Eye Liner for a Bridget Bordot-esq cat eye of sorts. I drew a thick black line on my upper lids, making it slightly thicker at the outer edge. Then, because I am not perfect when it comes to gel liners with a brush, I smudged it a bit with my finger. The result was a messy cat eyes that was dramatic and fun.The liner lasted all night with no smudging. It even lasted the whole next day and even didn't run when I spent 20 minutes in a steam room on Sunday (great way to end the weekend)! Crazy awesome stuff, this eyeliner!

Line Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-07-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

Elke shares her summer beauty must haves.

A Touch of Blusher previews Paul & Joe's fall 2009 collection.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Jill Stuart fall 2009 makeup collection.

Decorative Diva has the exclusive on Aromaleigh's newest LE collection, Hot in the City! Find out her thoughts on it!

Head on over to The Makeup Divas and enter to win a 2fl oz bottle of Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!

Beauty Junkie in SF found her favorite way to exfoliate this summer and stay on budget: St Ives In-Shower Body Polish.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week! Click here to enter to win a month's supply of NutriSystem!

Felicia from ThisThatBeauty finds a recessionista deal.Three great eye creams all under $20.

Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss

2009-07-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

One girl can never have too many lip glosses right?! I think so! Well, I've found yet another one to add to my arsenal. Best part is I can find it in a local drugstore. Yes to Carrots/Tomatoes/Cucumbers is actually a local company, based here in San Francisco, that specializes in Paraben-Free beauty and skin care products that combine the fresh, unadulterated goodness of organic fruits and vegetables with the purifying and moisturizing properties of minerals harvested from the Dead Sea.

Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss provides both shine and hydration along with a minty sensation. It feels like a soft lip balm, but gives a nice amount of color (depending on the shade) and lots of shine! I love the squeeze tube since its not messy and you can get exactly the amount of color you need. My only complaint on the packaging is the label is stuck on the tube, and after only one day, one corner at the bottom is coming off. So maybe they will improve the labeling, or maybe mine was just slightly defective. I really like the shade Carrot Shine for a neutral look, and Rose Shine for a more frosty pink look. The are made of 95% organic ingredients and I can actually understand each thing in them. Very comforting since I am sure I eat a lot of gloss throughout the day.

Gloss Lovely!

Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner

2009-07-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

I get stuck in makeup ruts all the time. Even though I have countless (literally, not worth counting how many) products to choose from, I end up using the same 4 things over and over. To mix it up a little, I spent an extra 5 minutes this morning on my eyes. I used Smashbox's Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy Blue just on my upper eyelids to create a fun cat eye type look. I drew the line fairly thick and used a neutral powder shadow as a base, making the liner the main attraction. The blue (the picture is actually the Midnight Purple, which is also very pretty) is a fun change from your basic black, it REALLY makes my blue eyes pop. It may take a few more minutes than my usual dash of shimmery pink shadow, but it is way more fun. Best part is this stuff lasts and lasts. It doesn't smudge or travel to the top of my eyelid in the middle of the day.

Line Lovely!

Borghese Spa Set at BeautyTicket.com

2009-07-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Borghese is a high end skin and body care line inspired by the minerals and heritage of the Tuscan countryside. At this point, I have no hope of hoping over to Italy anytime soon, so using these products is the closest I can get. Normally their products are super expensive, but my friends at BeautyTicket.com have this whole set for only $29.99!!!

The Living Water Spa Set includes:

* Active Mud for Face & Body (6.0 oz)
* Moisturizing Body Creme (6.0 oz)
* Gentle Foaming Gel for Bath & Shower (8.4 oz)
* Curaforte Moisture Intensifier (1.0 oz)
* Cura Da Vita Protettivo SPF 15 (1.0 oz)
* Splendide Mani Smoothing Hand Creme (2.5 oz)
* Acqua di Vita "Living Water" Complex
* Sea Sponge

St Ives Smoothing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish

2009-07-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

While moisturizing is key to maintaining sexy summer skin, exfoliating is just as vital. A good in-shower scrub is both time effective and easy to add to your routine. St. Ives also has one that is also cost effective!

Their Smoothing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish comes in a tub, which stores well in the shower. It has the consistency of paste or peanut butter. It is full of oils and sugar, making it a luscious scrub. I scope out a handful and kind of make a ball in my hand. Then I rub it all over, concentrating on my feet, knees, and elbows. Instead of instantly getting rinsed off, it slowly melts on my skin. When it does get rinsed off, it leaves a bit of a an oily residue, so my skin feels moisturized and softer. Be aware, if you leave it for awhile, it may look a little dried out, but a tiny bit of moisture in the shower revives it right away. For the price and results, this is my favorite scrub all summer.

Scrub lovely!

Pure Silk Moisturizing Shaving Cream

2009-07-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

I spent the 4th of July weekend in sunny southern California. Because of the silly TSA rules against liquids, I didn't get to bring my new favorite shaving cream on the plane and boy did I need it. It was sundress weather all weekend long! Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream is available in six supper yummy fun-scented formulas that contain skin conditioners and emollients to protect skin from the razor’s edge. Your legs will thank you for making them smooth and oh so touchable. Pure Silk Shave Cream Formulas include:

* Pure Silk Raspberry Mist
* Pure Silk Citrus Zest
* Pure Silk Melon Splash
* Pure Silk Plumeria (my current fav)
* Pure Silk Coconut & Oat Flour
* Pure Silk Peaches & Cream

Grab your beach bag, sundress and cocktail dress, because it doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you put your best leg forward! Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream is available in drugstores and mass merchandise stores for a suggested retail price of $1.79- 9.5 oz can.Can't beat that! And it does come in a travel size of 2.5oz, so I need to find that before my next getaway trip...

Shave Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-07-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Elke's gotten lazy, but she doesn't mind, thanks to Ponds.

A Touch of Blusher reviews Lancôme's fall 2009 collection.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Nars fall 2009 makeup collection.

Beauty Junkie in SF reviews the TeenSpa Blemished Skin line from Pevonia Botanica. Its not just for teens!

The Makeup Divas reviews tarte Celebutante Moisturizing Dry Oil Shimmer Spray.

Enter for a chance to win Clear Remedy Acne System worth $165 at Beauty and Personal Grooming.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in1 Natural Mascara

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

My new favorite everyday mascara was a bit of a shock to be. I'll be the first to admit that packaging is very important to me. I have used other Tarte products in the past, and my biggest complaint was this funny faux patent leather quilted material! This mascara tube is twice as big as it would be without it and kind of ackward. But packaging aside, Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in-1 Natural Mascara is a great mascara! It goes on slightly dry (so it doesn't get everywhere and smudge) with a slight texture. It coats my lashes completely and really does all 4: lengthen, curl, volumize, and condition. It doesn't smudge off during the day (BIG for me) and comes off with just a little face wash and water, no crazy amounts of rubbing. Also, they use natural ingredients like carnauba wax, olive esters, and rice bran wax. So despite the fact that the packaging turned me off, I'm glad I finally tried this mascara out. It is definitely going in my regular pile.

Lash Lovely!

Celebrate the 4th with the American Grown Collection

2009-06-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Bath & Body Works has a new, limited-edition American Grown collection to celebrate this patriotic season. It is comprised of hand washes and shower gels in big, bold, colorful bottles that are inspired by great American destinations. The scents include yummy Washington Apple, Napa Grape, Siesta Key Lemon, Savannah Mint and Montana Sky. Each product in the American Grown collection includes natural extracts grown on American soil. Now that is patriotic!

Soap Lovely!

Pevonia SpaTeen Skincare

2009-06-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

Even though I am no longer a teen, my skin seems to think I still deserve to look like one. I hate pimples more than anything, so I will try anything given to me as a potential solution.

Pevonia Botanica is a spa skincare line that has a set of products called SpaTeen Blemished Skincare. They are aimed at fighting blemishes on young skin, but really anyone can use them.

I tried out the regime of the cleanser, toner and moisturizer for awhile. I've never been much of a fan of toners, so that was quickly neglected. I liked the cleanser since it is more of a gentle scrub. My favorite overall though was the moisturizer. It is super gentle, smells nice (like citrus fruits), and goes on super smooth. It even has sun protection in it. I don't get shiny or oily at any point during the day, and my face feels fresh and clean. I also didn't use the blemish stick a ton, it was kind of hard to get the product out.

So I would for sure buy the moisturizer again... maybe someday I'll get to visit one of their spas too. Spa Bellaigo in Vegas... or Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa! Sounds like heaven right now.

Spa Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-06-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Decorative Diva share her thoughts on the SkinCareRx Travel Kit.

Elke finds, big hair with 7 hair items for $15.00.

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best summer 2009 makeup collections.

ThisThatBeauty is partnered with Diane von Furstenburg and giving away Limited Edition Lipstick "Foreign Affair".

Beauty Junkie in SF is giving away a POP beauty kit that will make everyone one say "HELLO GORGEOUS!". Enter Today!

Face Candy reviews Sonia Kashuk's coral themed Spring Treasures Collection.

The Makeup Divas reviews The Body Shop's HotBrights Collection.

Beauty Anonymous gives you a look into the latest haute couture-inspired makeup collection by Chanel.

Link Lovely!

mark Cosmetics: mark Mists!

2009-06-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Treat yourself to a refreshing splash of scent this summer with new mark Mists! For $10 you can get a fun fresh, fruity splash, perfect for on the go scenting. Available in four scents: Luscious Mango, Very Watermelon, Just Peachy, and Tangerine Squeeze. Check them out at meetmark.com

Spritz Lovely!

CONTEST: Win a "Hello Gorgeous!" Kit for POP Beauty

2009-06-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

The nice people at beautyticket.com have provided me with a fun products for me to give away to you all. Enter below to win this huge makeup kit from POP Beauty. HELLO GORGEOUS includes:

36 eye shades
10 lip glosses
6 cheek shades
2 duo applicators

Update your makeup wardrobe 'London style' with these makeup essentials (plus easy-to-follow steps) from Pop Beauty. Once the makeup runs out, the silver case doubles as a jewelry box! Value of the whole thing is $48.

Look Good Feel Better with OPI Nail Lacquer

2009-06-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Fabulous toes are a MUST this summer. So why not give back while you are getting pretty:

Look Good…Feel Better, a national public service program that helps women cope with appearance-related changes from cancer treatment, and OPI, the world leader in professional nail care, are both celebrating their 20th anniversaries this year. OPI launched its nail lacquers 20 years ago, the same year Look Good...Feel Better conducted its first workshop. To celebrate, the two organizations are launching a new summer promotion that truly makes a difference.

Look Good…Feel Better has served 650,000 women in the U.S. since the program’s inception in 1989 and has helped women improve their self esteem nationwide.
Look Good…Feel Better is available in 19 countries on six continents, and has served nearly one million women with cancer globally.
14,000 volunteers who donate their time to Look Good…Feel Better.

During July and August, OPI will contribute a portion of the proceeds of every bottle of its top-selling Bubble Bath (who doesn’t love Bubble Bath?) Nail Lacquer sold, with a minimum contribution of $25,000, to Look Good…Feel Better.

And we all know Bubble Bath is hot – in fact, personal stylist Rachel Zoe Tweeted about it as THE shade for summer manicures and pedicures. How can you argue with that?

The OPI Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer benefiting Look Good…Feel Better will be available in at least 10,000 participating salons and retail locations nationwide beginning this July.

Paint Lovely!

Crescent Row: A New Fragrance Collection By Benefit

2009-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am crazy about Benefit's new collection of fragrances, Crescent Row. The are inspired by a row of adorable houses in Bath, England that the daughters of the founder stumbled apon. Each scent is very unique and different, so one of them is sure to please you. I had a chance to try out all three, and although I liked Laugh with me LeeLee a lot, Something About Sophia won my heart! It is just the right mix of sweet, spicy, and gorgeous flowers. Here are the descriptions of each. Which one will be your next love?

Laugh with me LeeLee: a woody floral - a light blend of citrus, jasmine & lily blossoms, naturally light scent with a classic feminine style.

top notes: cassis, melon, citrus
middle notes: black violet, lily, jasmine
bottom notes: blonde wood, amber, santal

Something About Sophia: an oriental floral - a dream of oriental blossoms, mango & vanilla, an intriguing & mysterious scent with a free spirit.

top notes: mango, freesia
middle notes: sheer lily, jasmine sambac, peony petal
bottom notes: musk, white caramel, vanilla bean

My Place or Yours Gina: a woody oriental - an alluring affair of pink pepper, wild raspberry & patchouli, a seductively provocative scent with a "flaunt it if you've got it" attitude.

top notes: pink pepper, bergamot, tangerine
middle notes: peony, wild raspberry, white lily
bottom notes: patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla bean

They are available online at benefitcosmetics.com or at Sephora for $36 for 1oz. Spritz Lovely!

L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Kohl Eyeliner

2009-06-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

While I love new ways of putting on eyeliner, I'm not sure L'Oreal did such a great job on this one. Their latest edition to the HIP High Intensity Pigment Collection leave much to be desired. I like the concept of loose kohl eyeliner, but this one is way too messy. The wand is a bit on the rough side and I ended up getting powder all over. I thought the strength of the pigment was decent, but the messy factor was a bit of an issue for me. I liked the golden color for inner-eye highlighting, but the rough brush isn't very pleasant on the delicate skin. Next!

Paint Lovely!

12 Best and Worst Acne Products

2009-06-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun article by my friends at Total Beauty. Their readers rated their favorite and least favorite ance-fighting products.

12 Best & Worst Acne Products

Zits happen, so trust these unbiased reader reviews to tell you which acne products actually deliver

Sure, dealing with acne in your teens is cruel -- but in your 20s, 30s and 40s? That's just plain unfair. Here we uncover the top reader-tested acne-fighting products, as well as the products that did not deliver results, so you can save your time and money.

See products

The Best: No. 6: Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion, $13.50

TotalBeauty.com average rating: 8.7*

Even those who have "tried everything and nothing worked" claim this product is "like a miracle..."

No. 5: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, $9

TotalBeauty.com average rating: 8.8*

"Just a dab with a Q-tip is all it takes for my pimples to be drastically reduced overnight..."

No. 4: Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads, $36

TotalBeauty.com average rating: 8.9*

"The pads smell great, clear up acne, soften up lines and get your skin glowy..."

Want to see the rest of the best (and find out the worst)? Click here!

Fathers Day Gift Ideas fro Every Man Jack

2009-06-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Every Man Jack has some great INEXPENSIVE gifts for your dad this coming Sunday... They are great products that he's sure to love and best part is, he had get replacements at the local Target. Both kits are a whopping $9.95!!!

Signature Shave Kit: Kit includes EMJ face wash, shave cream, and face lotion. All with their refreshing signature mint scent. Everything your dad needs to prep his skin, get a great shave, and keep it hydrated and healthy. Inside this kit their is also a toiletry bag to carry his bathroom and shower stuff on the road. Coconut-derived surfactants cleanse. Marine Extracts and Shea butter hydrate. Aloe + Vitamin E helps heal and protect.

Citrus Hair + Body Kit: The Every Man Jack hair and body kit has their 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioner, body bar with wheat bran, and invigorating body wash. All with a refreshing citrus scent. Their is also a toiletry bag to carry his bathroom and shower stuff on the road.

Gift Dad Lovely!

Father's Day Gift Ideas from Kiehl's

2009-06-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Need some ideas on what to get Dad this year? Show him you care with some super nice gifts from Kiehl's:

Men’s Travel Kit: Perfect for the traveling dad, this travel collection of men's favorites makes for the perfect companion on the go, packed in a small EVA travel bag, only $24.50 (A $36.50 value.)

* Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream-White Eagle, 2.5 oz.
* Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, 2.5 oz.
* Amino Acid Shampoo, 2.5 oz.
* Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm
* Ultimate Strength Hand Salve deluxe sample

Energizing Starter Kit: Get Dad started with this classic collection of energizing men's products. The perfect regimen of products to cleanse, shave and energize, packed in a small EVA travel bag, only $28.50 (A $37.00 value.)

* Facial Fuel 2.5 oz.
* Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash 2.5 oz.
* Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap deluxe sample
* Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream-White Eagle, deluxe sample

Daily Energizing Kit: Only the best for Dad. This classic collection comes complete with Kiehl's best energizing men's products. Get him started on the perfect regimen, packed in a white corrugated box, $48.50 (a $66.00 value)

* Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream-White Eagle, 5 oz.
* Facial Fuel 2.5 oz.
* Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap 7 oz.
* Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash 8.4 oz.

If these gift sets don't seem to suit your Pops, you could also:

* Create a customized gift box: they will create it in-store, to your specifications. The price will vary, according to product selection.

* Or pick him out a new fragrance:

o Pour Homme 1987 Portable Essence Oil, $25. Pour Homme was blended especially for the pleasure of Kiehl’s male patrons and includes oils of Cistus, Patchouli, Fir Needle and Vetiver (a dried grassy root once thought in folklore to protect a wearer’s physical and financial safety). To this day, Pour Homme is instantly recognizable and remains a favorite among Kiehl’s customers for its complex concentration of woodsiness.

o Musk Eau de Toilette, $38.50. This modern version of our classic signature scent is based on the unique blend that is Kiehl's Musk. Our special Musk "recipe" begins with an initial creamy, fresh citrus burst of Bergamot Nectar and Orange Blossom...followed by a soft floral bouquet of Rose, Lily, Ylang-Ylang and Neroli. Finally, Original Musk Eau de Toilette dries down to a warm, sensual Oriental finish of Tonka Nut, White Patchouli and, of course, Musk...the soul of this distinctively modern scent

o Forest Rain Eau de Toilette, $38.50. Our fresh, yet spicy woodsy blend of Muguet, Vetiver, Citrus and Musk was inspired by the extensive essence collection of the original “Kiehl Pharmacy,” where 122 unique fragrant oils from the world over have been offered over the years.

All products are available at a Kiehl’s free-standing store near you or at Kiehls.com, and you can find a store in your area using the Store Locator at Kiehls.com

Gift Dad Lovely!

Father's Day Gift Ideas from Aveda

2009-06-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Still trying to decide what to get Dad for Father’s Day? Not sure exactly what he needs to compliment his lifestyle? Whatever excites Dad, Aveda can help make sure you find the perfect gift for him this year. Aveda offers a variety of budget-friendly Father’s Day gifts that are sure to be a success:

The Gym-Rat Gift: Gift Dad with the highly-energized Rosemary Mint Set to take to the gym. Infused with peppermint and rosemary that naturally energize, Rosemary Mint Shampoo, Conditioner and Hand/Body Wash will leave him felling refreshed following the gym. Or if Dad prefers bar soap, swap the Hand/Body Wash with a Rosemary Mint Bath Bar. The bar invigorates with rosemary and peppermint that lingers long after rinsing.

Lovably Low-Maintenance: Does Dad’s entire grooming routine consist of shampoo and a lip balm? Give him an eco-friendly upgrade with Aveda Men Shampoo, and a few Aveda Lip Savers. Gentle enough for everyday use, Aveda Men Shampoo leaves hair soft and manly fresh. He will also love Aveda's cult favorite Lip Saver, which features cinnamon leaf, clove and anise oils that will keep his lips smooth, protected and soft.

The Ultimate Cut: Take his regular barbershop trip to the next level with a gift certificate for a hair cut at your nearest Aveda salon. Not only will he get a great cut (and maybe update his look), but he’ll enjoy Aveda’s complimentary offerings such as a scalp, head and neck massage and a yummy cup of Aveda Comforting Tea. Find your nearest Aveda salon here.

The Budget-Conscious Cut: Not looking to break the bank this Father’s Day but still want Dad looking well-groomed? Not to fear -- there’s an Aveda Institute nearby that offers the perfect gift for Dad. Institutes nationwide develop the finest artists in the salon and spa industry, and their services are just a fraction of the cost of salon prices. Men’s haircuts start at just $15. Grab Dad a piece of the Institute action with an Aveda Institute gift certificate. Find your nearest Aveda Institute here.

Free Gift Opportunity for YOU and DAD: Send a dad in your life a personalized Father’s Day e-card and enter to win gift sets from Aveda – featuring our top-selling collections – for you and him. Visit www.AvedaThanksMan.com

Gift Dad Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-06-13T08:54:00.001-07:00

Elke shares her blush tips and application tricks.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido's Maquillage Face Creator 3D!

Felicia from ThisThatBeauty shares her current hair obsession and gives YOU a chance to win it!!!

A Touch of Blusher previews Lancôme's fall 2009 collection.

Summer is coming and you want your makeup to stay on, right? Cybelesays.com found an eye shadow that won't go anywhere until you move it.

Need to eliminate frizz in your curly hair? StyleBell has the answer with the Redken How-To on Creating Curl Perfection!

The Makeup Divas are giving away one pair of Current/Elliot The Boyfriend Jean valued at $229! So pop on over and enter today!

Beauty Junkie in SF has another tip for all those recessionista's out there: Homemade Pedicure Prep.

Beauty in Real Life is having another giveaway, this time 3 lucky readers will each receive a Zannclip - and they get to pick the size and color. !!

Kyle at Face Candy shows you how to make your own Mixing Medium using Glycerine.

Worse Shaving Products

2009-06-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting article from my partners over at Total Beauty. I actually liked the Venus Vibrance back when I used it... I found the buzzing kinda fun. I do agree that the Intuition is kind of a waste, but I found its use: camping! When I was on a house boat all weekend, without any shaving cream to be had, this razor was perfect for doing a little touch up shaving job sitting on the side of the boat with some lake water! Maybe not so good for the fishes though...

Total Beauty Reader's Least Favorite Hair Removal Products

Saving up for laser hair removal would be better than wasting cash on these shaving and waxing products

Unless you're lucky enough to have gotten laser hair removal, you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of shaving and/or waxing. Even with good hair removal products the task is no fun, but when our readers used these products, it was terrible. See which products left them hairy and annoyed.

See products

No. 10: Schick Intuition, $10.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5*

"Good idea, but you waste 3/4 of the product. The only part of the soap bar that gets used is the part right under the blades. The sides and top are wasted..."

No. 9: Gillette Venus Vibrance, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.3*

"The battery does absolutely nothing to enhance this razor," one reader says. "I was looking for a closer and softer shave [and this] did neither..."

No. 8: no!no!, $250

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.6*

"I devoted so much time to using this for about 10 weeks, and the only difference it made is that it actually made MORE hair appear..."

Want to see what's the worst? Click here!

L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Color Presso Lip Gloss

2009-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

L'Oreal's HIP high intensity pigments collections has been out in drugstores for quite awhile. I've tried some of there eyeshadows and been mildly impressed. But the Color Presso lip glosses are really cool. First of all, I've never seen any gloss container like these, they are very innovative. The idea of have two shades you can mix together or wear alone isn't brand new, but the shape and style of the case is certainly unique. I guess the loop at the top means you can put it on your key chain... though I don't think I'll be doing that. The gloss itself is not sticky at all and quite moisturizing. They have a nice shimmer to them as well and come in a variety of shades that, combined or not,m are bound to please everyone. The have a subtle taste of cupcakes, but its not sickly sweet like some. All in all a great addition to L'Oreal's fun, colorful HIP line of products

Squeeze Lovely!

Homemade Pedicure Prep from a Pro

2009-06-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year when having beautiful, soft, well-groomed feet is very important. I know I don't always have time to get a professional pedicure every 2-3 weeks, so I end up doing it myself. Besides trimming up my toes and painting, I sometimes like to treat my feet to some extra care. Here is a fun, at-home treatment you can make with ingredients from your fridge! IT was developed by Skyy Hadley, the owner of As “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ.

Light Cucumber Shell Mask

Take 2 whole cucumbers (one per foot), 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix in a blender until pureed. Put the mixture in a bowl and heat it up to a warm temperature. Place half of the mixture into one large Ziploc baggie and half in a second baggie. Slide your feet right into each baggie, rubbing the cucumber mask all over your feet. Leave on for 5-10 minutes then rinse with warm water. The cucumber is extra refreshing and reviving for tired toes, the lemon helps exfoliate, and the olive oil deeply moisturizes for super softness!

Sooth those toes lovely!

François Nars at Nordstrom in San Francisco Shopping Centre

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was unfortunately out of town this last weekend, when François Nars, none other than the founder of Nars Cosmetics, made a a special personal appearance at Nordstrom San Francisco Centre this past Saturday.He was signing copies of his books X-Ray and Makeup Your Mind as well as the limited-edition NARS Loves San Francisco Set. X-Ray (1999), the wildly successful photography book and collector’s item, Makeup Your Mind (2001), the ultimate instructional makeup manual featuring the world's most recognizable models and the NARS Loves San Francisco Set.

It contains an assortment of four classic products resurrected from the archives by François Nars specifically for the women of San Francisco and re-named after iconic names in the city. I will be purchasing this set immediately!!!

POP Beauty Nail Glam Coupon Offer

2009-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Thought I would pass this on to you lovely ladies at popbeauty.com:Save Lovely!

shu uemura's Boutique Birthday in San Francisco

2009-06-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Any local beauty junkie's out there? Check out this cool event next week at the shu uemura boutique on Fillmore in SF. I should be there and you should too! Here are the details:

Every June, shu celebrates its “Boutique Birthday,” the celebration of the first shu uemura boutique in Tokyo. This year they are celebrating the 26th birthday with a new launch and a boutique-exclusive event here in SF :* LASHES IN NATURE, Tokyo Lash Bar 2009 collection: LASHES IN NATURE launching in June, is shu uemura’s first joint collection created by the company’s worldwide atelier artists and associates. Using shu’s celebrated false eyelashes as a medium, shu’s four finest artists, including Gina Brooke, have each created their own interpretations of elements of nature, from flowers to the sky. It’s an extraordinary collection of nine exquisite lash designs designed by four artists, who have each incorporated his or her own background, personality, aesthetics, and even geographic location into the final designs.

* BOUTIQUE BIRTHDAY IN-STORE CELEBRATION, JUNE 18, 2009 6-8pm: The San Francisco Fillmore boutique will introduce the LASHES IN NATURE collection and celebrate the Boutique Birthday with a private cocktail party, “Lashion Show” of the new collection, and visual retrospective of shu’s past Tokyo Lash Bar designs on June 18 in the boutique. Event guests will be invited to receive complimentary lash application with the purchase of a pair of lashes, as well as create their own custom shu Tokyo Lash Bar 2009 makeup palette. (Guests can RSVP to this event at (415)395-0953.) Yes please!

* CUSTOM TOKYO LASH BAR 2009 MAKEUP PALETTE: In celebration of the new LASHES IN NATURE collection, the Fillmore boutique will offer its patrons the opportunity to create a Custom Tokyo Lash Bar 2009 Makeup Palette, with a complimentary limited edition compact. The limited edition compacts can be personalized with your choice of four eye shadows; two eyeshadows and a blush, or two blushes. The compact is refillable, and is complimentary with the purchase of the products chosen.

I'm going to try and make it to this awesome event and I hope you can too (if you are in the area!). The address of the Fillmore boutique is 1971 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115. And remember, the event is open to the public but RSVPs are required: Call (415) 395-0953 to confirm your spot!

Lash Lovely!

Pur Minerals Makeup and Skincare

2009-06-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

In the summertime, my skin needs constant care. One minute it is oily and shiny, the next minute it is dry and flaky. It is so frustrating, especially when I am traveling! This is why I appreciate products that can serve more than one purpose. Both products I tried from the Pur Minerals line do just that! And they are both great for my combination-nightmare skin.

Pur Minerals Pur Polish is an exfoliating wash that can be used from head to toe! It is gentle enough to use daily in the shower on my face, or smother all over my body. It is made of natural ingredients like aloe vera, naturally exfoliating citrus oils and the soothing vitamins A and E. My finicky face always feels amazing and refreshed after a quick scrub down with Pur Polish. And priced at $21.50 for 8 fl oz, it is a good deal. My only complaint is that the pump on mine doesn't seem to work. I just unscrewed it and used the tube inside as a spatula of sorts which works ok, especially in the shower.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation with SPF 15 boasts that it is a foundation, concealer, powder and SPF all in one product. This is perfect for girls who want minimal fuss when it comes to makeup and sunscreen. I like that it is a mineral powder compact, instead of loose, making it much more portable. The color they sent me was a bit too dark, so I used it when I got a bit of sun the other week. It went on pretty smooth with a brush and coverage was between light and heavy. I stayed fairly shine free all day and it covered up most of my imperfections. It would be a great item to throw in your overnight bag for that weekend at the beach/shore. It is available for $24.50 on their website.

Mineral Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads From the BBN

2009-06-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

Enter for a chance to win AminoGenesis Wrinkle Arrest Day Cream and HealthDropz-the beverage booster at Beauty and Personal Grooming.

Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The SPF30 UV Protecting Fluid.

Celebrate Shawn Johnson's win on Dancing with the Stars... click here to enter to win a makeup bag full of her favorite goodies over at Beauty in Real Life.

A Touch of Blusher reviews Prescriptives' Motor-Eyes Mascara.

Enter for a chance to win one of two Men's Essential Kits by The Skin by Monica Olsen over at The Makeup Divas, but hurry contest ends soon!

Kyle at Face Candy reviews Kiehl's new Argan Oil products.

Beauty Junkie in SF is wild over Smashbox's Summer 2009 Collection Untamed.

Link Lovely!

mark cosmetics Costa Rica Collection

2009-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

mark's new Costa Rica Collection is not shy in ANY way. Talk about kick-in-your-pants fun! These colors scream with energy and passion. So if color scares you, step away! The collection contains:

Eye Exotics Eyeshadow Trios, $6 each - Whether you want to shade, define, shadow or line, any look can be yours. Create stunning eye looks with 1 color palette. Bold shades that make the perfect eye statement for the summer season. Available in three shades.

Lip Exotics Lip Lacquers, $6 each - A full coverage, wet, high shine, lacquer for lips. Creamy texture glides on lips smoothly….leaving lips looking full and lush. Flavored with mark signature spearmint for fresh, kissable lips. Available in five fun shades. I little too much color for me, but maybe you go for that sort of thing!

Good Glowing Mosaic Cheek Colors, $7 each - A smooth powder that lets you glow wherever you to want it to go. Whether you want to shimmer or blush the look can be yours. Sold in single-pan format, it can easily be removed/popped into the mark. Favorite Colors Palette, interchangeable with mood or moment. Available in two shades.

I tried out the eye shadow trio in Jungle Love, which has two shades of green and one light pink. I was able to create a fun bright look, although it was a little hard to get at the colors individually. The pigment was bright enough, and with a little moisture I used the darker green as an eyeliner. Fun for summer eyes that don't want to be too serious!

Bright Lovely!

Dove Visibly Smooth Antiperspirant/Deodorant

2009-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

I know deodorant is not the most fun part of a girl's beauty routine, but I do think it has an effect on your overall scent. Therefore it is important to not only find a deodorant that works and keeps you dry, but one that smells awesome too.

Dove's new line of deodorants, Visibly Smooth, claims to minimize the the look and feel of your underarm hair over time. It contains a new formula called Pro-Epil Complex. Pro-Epil Complex is a mixture of ingredients that contains the famous Dove 1/4 Translucent Moisturizers™ and sunflower oil. Within weeks of regular use, Pro-Epil Complex is supposed to make underarm hair feel softer, finer and easier to remove.

I have been using it for a few weeks now, and although I can't notice too much of a change, I am very happy with it... because I love the scent offerings. I have tried both Wild Rose and Nature Fresh and I love them both. My underarms are doing well, no irritation to speak off and very few pesky red bumps. Maybe because I am good at scrubbing them as Dove recommends in their new at-home beauty treatment called The PitiCure™:

A PitiCure is to your underarms as a pedicure is to your feet. It removes impurities, cleanses the underarms and minimizes the look and feel of underarm hair over time in three simple steps:

Step 1: Use gentle exfoliating scrub or wipes to cleanse underarms helping to draw out impurities. Impurities in the underarm area can cause unwanted underarm irritation (e.g., folliculitis/ingrown hair); exfoliation and cleansing will help to relieve this.
Step 2: Rinse off and gently dry underarms with towel
Step 3: Apply Dove Visibly Smooth antiperspirant/deodorant

For best results, repeat this body treatment as needed and apply Dove Visibly Smooth antiperspirant/deodorant as part of your daily beauty routine.

De-odor Lovely!

Smashbox Untamed Summer 2009 Collection

2009-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Smashbox's new summer collection Untamed is definitely wild. It is inspired by the jungle and its untamed character. The colors are more on the neutral end, but the are not for the shy. The collection includes:

UNTAMED CREAMY CHEEK COLOR: This luxurious creamy cheek color instantly gives you a sexy summer flush.

UNTAMED LIP GLOSS: Two fierce new lip gloss shades with major bite. Glide over lips for luscious color and shine. Available in Raw (deep red-brown) or Flesh (creamy nude)

UNTAMED WATERPROOF SHADOW LINER TRIO: Take a walk on the wild side and create beautifully bold eyes with these waterproof shadow liners in vibrant shades of the tropics. Completely waterproof, crease-proof and ultra-bendable for fearless, all-day wear. Packaged in a chic mirrored animal print deco compact for touch ups anywhere. Airtight lid keeps product fresh. Available in Savage (green, cream, and brown) and Exotic (purple, champagne, and lilac)

DOUBLE-ENDED EYE BRIGHTENER: A portable pencil that instantly highlights and brightens for eyes that roar for attention.

I got to try the shadow liner trio in Savage, the eye brightener, and the lip gloss in Flesh. The gloss is a bit TOO neutral for me, but the shadow liner is really great. It doesn't crease at all and has a lovely bit of shimmer to it. The colors blend well together and create a fun, saucy eye... that will stay on even in the pool! The eye brightener is nice as well used in the inner corner of your eyes with any look, a great way to make your eyes pop!

Untame yourself Lovely!

Jurlique: Biodynamic Beauty Products

2009-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Jurlique is a masterful brand that has created beautifully designed products from natural botanics. I absolutely LOVE their packaging and even if I didn't care for natural products, I would be interested in them since they are so pleasing to the eye.

I've tried a few of their offerings and am mostly impressed. While I didn't much care for their Daily Exfoliating Cream (it felt a little like rubbing soggy cereal all over my face) I have been using the Citrus Purifying Mist almost Daily. It is SOOO refreshing with lemon, tangerine, and witch hazel to clear my skin from impurities. I also really like the Herbal Recovery Gel as a serum to use before I moisturize. I am not sure it does enough to keep my acne at bay, but I feels nice and light and its very soothing on overly dry patches.

I would check Jurlique out if you are a natural loving girl who appreciates a bit of style and class. They have it all! Available online, at Sephoras, and in their free standing boutiques. There is one on Fillmore in Lower Pac Heights for you SF girls.

Botanik Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-06-01T20:18:00.001-07:00

The Makeup Divas reviews Too Faced Locked Down Cream Eyeshadows plus the new summer lip bronzer in Pink Leopard.

A Touch of Blusher comes across some of the best makeup brushes.

Beauty Junkie in SF happily tested out a ton of H20 + Sun products last weekend. Out on a lake in the sun all day long... someone had to do it.

Face Candy shares 2 of her favorite Orange products.

Decorative Diva visits a hidden gem of a day spa and has her first professional facial!

Getting ready to hit the pool? Check out Beauty in Real Life's review on Redken's Color Extend Sun Collection.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Essie summer 2009 collection.

Miss Oops Pucker Protector Lip Gloss

2009-05-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Freshen your breath, keep your lips smooth and soft, and protect them from the sun? Sounds too good to be true? Well Miss Oops has done it all! Miss Oops Pucker Protector is both a moisturizing balm and shiny, cute lip gloss. It moisturizes, freshens breath with its minty scent and provides you with protection of SPF 30. Keep Pucker Protector in your purse or beach bag all summer long. I used it all weekend long and it kept my lips soft and minty! Available at Target.com for only $14.99.

Lip Lovely!

H20 Plus Fun in the Sun Products

2009-05-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm back, after a little hiatus... everyone needs a break sometimes. I spent the last 3 days swaying about on a houseboat on Lake Shasta with 20 awesome people. Needless to say I was in need of sun products on my trip! Lucky for me the folks at H20 Plus hooked it up just in time for my adventure. I have been using H2o Plus' SPF 30 Face everyday as a moisturizer, so I knew that their products had to come on the boat with me as well. The SPF 45 Body was great for long hours laying about on the top deck and the After Sun Body Serum was a lifesaver afterward. It's aloe and vitamin E formula is not sticky in the slightest, yet it is oil free, so I don't have to worry about it making me breakout. As a bonus, it is non-scented, so even my guys friends could use it, if they had too much fun in the sun. Even though I protected my face as best I could, I still got a bit of a sunglasses tan going on now. I'm going to try H2o Plus' Sunless Tan Face tonight and see if I can get it to even me out a bit! And when my legs start to lose what little color I did get, I will test out the Sunless Tan Body too!

How was your weekend?

Smashbox Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss

2009-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm soooooo excited that warm weather is here and here to say! I am about to head up to Lake Shasta and start summer right this memorial day weekend with tons of friends, fun and fabulous SUN! Although it will be hard, I probably won't be wearing much makeup on the lake, but I ALWAYS need lip gloss. Smashbox's new Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss with SPF 15 is a perfect choice for this trip ($21). I can have pretty, glossy lips and keep them protected from the harmful rays of the sun! And since the gloss in a tube and not a pot, it won't matter if it get a little hot in the sun and melts. The Forever shade is the perfect subtle pink and it goes great with no makeup and a little bit of a tan (faux of course).

Sun (and protect) Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-05-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido's Tiss Deep Off Oil.

Decorative Diva reviews a new hair accessory find, the Flexi-8 hair clips.

Find out what Smashbox product The Makeup Divas uses to achieve a perfect smoldering smoky eye.

A Touch of Blusher adds another lilac eye palette to the stash.

ThisThatBeauty reviews Lipstick Queen's latest collection, CHINATOWN. It is PURE FIRE!!! Check it out.

Don't forget to enter the neuLash/Anastasia Giveaway over atBeauty in Real Life!!

Beauty Junkie in SF Lindsey Lohan moves into the realm of beauty with her Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist.

Link Lovely!

Dial Cranberry Antioxidant Body Wash

2009-05-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Cranberries typically make me think of fall, specifically Thanksgiving. But the minute I squeezed out a dollop of Dial's new Antioxidant Body Wash with Cranberry & Antioxidant Pearls, I felt like I was in the middle of spring, surrounded by refreshing fruity smells. It is delicious! Since it seems like antioxidants are in everything and can't do wrong, why not have them in your body wash. They are supposed to reveal healthy, younger-looking skin which is great for everyone. And you smell good in the process, since it smells like a tall, refreshing glass of cranberry juice. And right now if you go to Dial's website, you can print a $1 off coupon. Cheap and Yummy, what's not to love?!

Soap Lovely!

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Lip Gloss

2009-05-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

While I'm not big into lots of color on my lips, some days just call for it. And if I'm going to wear a color all day it has to last since I never remember to re-apply. But when it comes to gloss I love, love, love to re-apply all day long. So I think Rimmel London has come up with the perfect product for me. Their new Lasting Finish Kiss & Gloss gives me a nice lasting color on one side and then gloss I can apply and re-apply to my hearts content. The color and most of the gloss lasted through my morning coffee and lunch, which is more than enough for me. The gloss is a little sparkly and very shiny with the right amount of stickiness. I tried shade 200 "Enduring Love" and found it to be a good neutral pink for everyday lip wear, or a night out. I'm sure one of the 12 shades they have will make you as equally happy.

Lip Lovely!

Lindsey Lohan's Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist

2009-05-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, your legs are a clear indication that it has only recently gotten warmer outside. My legs right now are PASTY white. My only option to cover the whiteness and the lovely pink spider bites I just discovered on my legs (my kitten is not doing his bug exterminating job, he thinks being cute will get him far enough...) is a glowy, bronzey, hopefully not-too-orangey self-tanner.

Lucky me, there is a new option on the market, courtesy of LiLo herself, under the brand name Sevin Nyne (guess that is cleaver... in her world). Sephora is the only one to carry the Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist right now, and I am guessing it will be a money maker for them. It is supposed to be more natural that your average tanning spray, using real caramel to create a sun-kissed glow all over your gams. It also has goji berry extra, a powerful antioxidant, and doesn't contain CFCs and comes in a recycled can (how green of LiLo?!). But it still has DHAs, the stinky stuff in all other self-tanners, but maybe the caramel and something called Ordonone can cover it up...

Spray Lovely!

Kiehl's Portable Essence Oils

2009-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Kiehl’s has added six more of Kiehl’s classic essences to their Portable Essence Oils collection, re-introducing Kiehl’s patrons to some of the original essences once formulated in the original Kiehl’s store at 13th and 3rd in New York’s East Village. The newest Portable Essence Oils ($25) are Amber 1942, Gardenia 1961, Chinese Flowers 1967, Cucumber 1972, Pear 1977, and Pour Homme 1987.

Like all Kiehl’s products, the new Portable Essence Oils are appropriate for use by both women and men, and packaged in convenient roller ball packaging that’s not only handy for travel, but also ideal for layering fragrances to create an endless array of one’s own custom blends. And, like all Kiehl’s products, these new fragrances can be included in one of Kiehl’s custom gifts, created in-store to our customers’ specifications.

AMBER 1942: Kiehl’s customers have always been drawn to Amber for its warm, sweet and long-lasting scent. Amber is fossilized tree resin and the oldest traces originate from the Upper Carboniferous period approximately 345 million years ago.

GARDENIA 1961: Gardenia was first offered at the original Kiehl’s Pharmacy in the early 60s and was an instant classic for its exotically sweet, creamy and floral scent. Originally referred to as “cape jasmine”, Gardenia has over 250 species of flowering plants, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Indomalaya and Australia.

CHINESE FLOWERS 1967: Chinese Flowers is a blend of multiple fragrance oils and was as much a signature scent on the streets of New York in the early 70s as Musk or Patchouli. Customers still write and call to request the scent or to find any remaining bottles. The original Kiehl’s Pharmacy created Chinese Flowers with a blend of violet and rose (such a precious ingredient in previous centuries that it was used as legal tender) as well as more exotic flowers of Lotus and Ylang Ylang.

CUCUMBER 1972: Avid Kiehl’s users enjoy the uniquely refreshing scent of Cucumber essence – especially since it’s known for its calming properties. Cucumbers were thought to originate over 10,000 years in southern Asia. Early explorers and travelers introduced this vegetable to India and other parts of Asia.

PEAR 1977: In 1647 Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam brought back a pear tree from his native Holland and planted it on his farm. For 220 years, the tree thrived at the location that would form the intersection of Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue in the East Village – today fondly known by New Yorkers as “Pear Tree Corner” and outside the original Kiehl’s Pharmacy. Out in front of the apothecary, Governor Stuyvesant’s historic pear tree shaded patrons and employees alike until 1867. Declared by Harper’s Monthly as “the oldest living thing in New York City” in 1862, the venerable pear tree bore fruit nearly until its demise, when it was struck in a most fateful wagon accident.

On the 12th of November in 2003, Kiehl’s re-planted a pear tree at the same location in honor of the community, officially marking “Pear Tree Corner” once more and received a declaration from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, designating November 12th “Kiehl’s Day.”

POUR HOMME 1987: Pour Homme was blended especially for the pleasure of Kiehl’s male patrons and includes oils of Cistus, Patchouli, Fir Needle and Vetiver (a dried grassy root once thought in folklore to protect a wearer’s physical and financial safety). To this day, Pour Homme is instantly recognizable and remains a favorite among Kiehl’s customers for its complex concentration of woodsiness.

Roll Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-05-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Beauty Junkie in SF has re-discovered Caudalie's Instant Foaming Cleanser. Sometimes cleaning out your beauty closet is the best way to mix up your routine!

Hurry on over to The Makeup Divas blog and enter to win Barielle Sugar Rush Nail Polish Collection.

Raging Rouge is tickled pink by the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection.

YOU could meet the super incredible Makeup Artist Pat McGrath! Elke tells you how!

A Touch of Blusher reviews Illamasqua, a new British makeup brand.

ThisThatBeauty is giving away OLAYProfessional Anti-Aging Starter Kit.

A Rose Romantic from MAC is out and causing quite a stir. Cybelesays.com picks their favorites here.

Link Lovely!

Gossip Girl Spotted: DKNY Be Delicious and Island Michael Kors

2009-05-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr (aka Vanessa) was spotted sampling scents at Bloomingdale’s in Los Angeles. Looked like she doing some Mother’s Day shopping, picking out fragrance and other gifts for her mom. She was testing the DKNY Be Delicious and Island Michael Kors Bermuda scents (photo credit: Wire Image).

DKNY Be Delicious EDP Spray (1.7 fl oz $55.00) - "A modern feast for the senses. Served in a sleek metal and glass apple bottle, this juicy fragrance combines the scent of apple with a sophisticated blend of exotic flowers and sensual woods. Like the city that inspired it, DKNY Be Delicious celebrates individuality with refreshing spirit."

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom EDP Spray (1.7 fl oz $55.00) - "DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom transports you to that first stroll of spring in Central Park when it’s abloom with flowers. Lighthearted and intensely feminine, the scent is a mix of luscious fruit and delectable flowers."

Island Michael Kors Bermuda EDP Spray (1.7 fl oz $62.00) - "An enchanting, colorful floral infused with vibrant freesia, native hibiscus, pink peony, jasmine sambac and the aura of driftwood paired with warm cedarwood. Together they capture the essence of this dreamy pink sand paradise. Enchanting. Colorful. Alluring."

All scents are available at Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Sephora stores.

Scent Lovely!

Mothers Day Gift Ideas: Kiehl's Gardenia Body Care

2009-05-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

You better act quickly, if you haven't gotten your mom anything yet for mother's day. Its THIS sunday. Here is an idea:

Kiehl’s has added Gardenia as a permanent fragrance in its line of Hand and Body Lotions and Liquid Body Cleansers. Who doesn't love a little, or in this case, a whole lot of gardenia?! It is a classic womanly scent your mom is sure to enjoy. Give her the body cleanser to use in the shower and then make sure the fragrance lasts by having her rub on the lotion right after.

Kiehl’s Gardenia Hand and Body Lotion and Kiehl’s Gardenia Liquid Body Cleanser is just $35.

Gift Lovely!

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser

2009-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of using up products I have laying around, I started using Caudalie's Instant Foaming Cleanser again. I always liked it, but it is soooo gentle, it almost feels like it is not really cleaning my face. Though now I think this is false. My skin has been looking brighter and very clear. The cleanser doesn't over dry it, so that I don't have to put moisturizer on before I go to bed (I've been super lazy about this lately). It smells very nice, like an expensive glass of champagne or something. I don't use it in the shower though, because it seems to work best applied to my skin dry and rubbed in well, before I add water to the mix and eventually wash off. I especially recommend this to anyone with super sensitive skin. One of my best friends swears by it, since everything else makes her look like she has rosecea right after she washes. Caudalie knows their stuff and whether yours skin is dry or oily, this wash might be one of your new favs.

Wash Lovely!

MAX Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor

2009-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok. I'll be the first to admit it. I am not a lover of lipstick. But if I was... I'd want one that actually lasts. No one likes re-applying lipstick or living in constant fear that all that is left is a ring around the outside of your lips. Yuck. Can you tell I was scarred from seeing this happen to my mother?!

Well, Max Factor's new Vivid Impact Lipcolor definitely lasts. And lasts. And lasts. I tried on the hot pink color I got one evening, then promptly laid around blogging and the like until I went to bed. The next morning I went to look in the mirror and... I still had a very pink pout!

If hot party pink isn't your thing, it does come in many other colors, including 4 reds, 5 beige/browns, 3 mauves, 4 wine/burgundies, and yes 4 pinks! One is sure to please your lips, even if you don't like lipstick!

Paint you Lips Lovely!

MAX Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

2009-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Brands come out with new mascaras all the time because they know, without fail, women will keep trying new ones, since no one mascara does everything they want. One can be lengthening, but not curl your lashes enough. Another makes them super thick but gets clumpy and sticky too fast. But none are JUST right.

Max Factor's new attempt, the 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper, fulfills certain demands I have for my mascara. I really like the big fat brush (hence the high caloric name) with its many plastic bristles. It gets to every lash, and curls them up quite nicely. It doesn't make them exceptionally thick, but the additional darkness and definition are great. It is a good daytime mascara but I think I want more volume when I am doing darker evening looks. Also, I had a chance to try both the regular and waterproof formulas. Although I am not a huge fan of waterproof mascara, because they are so hard to remove. But I'll make an exception since it actually it lasted all though my work day and the gym in 90 degree heat without me looking like a raccoon by the end of it. That is lasting power! So for $9.98 at your local drugstore, you can get a high quality mascara that will plump your lashes and last though a sweaty workout!

Lash Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-05-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

Decorative Diva shows you how to make a cute and inexpensive makeup brush holder for under $10!
Beauty Junkie in SF is cleaning out her makeup case, one product at a time. Stila's Bronzer
A Touch of Blusher reviews SUQQU's transparent Clear Veil Powder.
Raging Rouge pulls together a list of favorite beauty items for Moms.
Elke shows how to contour cheekbones, the new way.
The Makeup Divas reviews Prescriptives Mineral Bronzer in Warm.
ThisThatBeauty is giving away a Liz Earle Travel Overnight Travel Kit. Check it out!
Cybelesays.com took a trip to a perfume apothecary to really learn how to pick out a fragrance. Click here to learn how to pick the right one out for yourself.
Beauty Anonymous brings you Anna Sui's summer 2009 hair & body care collection.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life share David Babaii's secrets for great summer hair. Check them out here!

Link Lovely!
may not be her favorite choice, but it does the job and needed to be used up!

NARS Modern Love Eyeshadow Palette

2009-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

What if one eyeshadow compact could provide every shade necessary to fashion the perfect neutral look, eye-defining liner, or sexy smoky effect? Sounds too good to be true huh?!This seemingly impossible pursuit is now a reachable reality with the new NARS Modern Love Palette. Open the signature soft-touch black compact, complete with an oversize mirror, to reveal an array of uber-wearable shades that look natural on every skin tone. Yipee!

NARS used top-ranking shadows, in hues ranging from matte black to shimmering browns to ethereal metallic’s. Each shade was chosen for its ability to complement the others, so you can mix and match for an endless number of subtle or dramatic looks. The resulting palette can be used effortlessly to create various day-to-night looks, with six shadows to accent the lashline, lid, crease and browbone. The Modern Love Palette unleashes your inner artist. I think I am in love!

Shades:
* Alhambra (top left) Metallic Rose Mist
* Jezebel (top middle) Shimmering Sable
* India Song (top right) Shimmering Walnut
* Tokyo (bottom left) Soft Silver-White
* Habanera (bottom middle) Sparkling Charcoal-Plum
* Pandora (bottom right) Matte Black

It will be available in May 2009 exclusively at Nordstrom and sold for $50.

Mom's Day Gift Ideas: Moroccan Rose Body Butter by The Body Shop

2009-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

As you might know, I LOVE body butters. Of all kinds. Since The Body Shop's body butters hold a special place in my heart, I was excited to see their Moroccan Rose Body Butter on sale for Mother's Day. For $15 (instead of $20) you can get your beloved mother a tub of yummy, luxurious body butter that smells like delicate roses. It has Community Trade shea butter to make her skin soft, smooth and supple, and Community Trade babassu oil to help repair skin's moisture barrier while restoring suppleness. Sounds like a gift you can feel good about giving this Mother's Day... and maybe grab one for yourself.

Butter Lovely!

Bioelements Oxygen Cocktail and Oxygenation

2009-04-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know, back in prehistoric times, the atmosphere contained oxygen levels of 35%, but over the years the rise in pollution has dramatically decreased this number and today it’s down to just 21% and even lower in some major cities?! The drop in oxygen levels is due to the rising levels of pollution. When it comes to your skin, oxygen is vital for a radiant, younger, and less-lined complexion. In fact, your skin needs more than just the oxygen you breathe, it requires the use of oxygen-rich products to keep it functioning properly and looking its best.

Bioelements Oxygen Cocktail and Oxygenation can help your skin stop suffocating your skin and let it breathe with. They are two high performing, specialists-designed products to enhance your skin’s protective barrier and “push” essential oxygen into surface layers.

Oxygen Cocktail ($39.00 for 1oz) is a barrier-enhancing serum of moisture-binding hyaluronic acid blended with an oxygen-boosting Tissue Respiratory Factor. A few drops of this serum applied to a freshly washed face will boost its ability to fight visible aging and promote a smoother, less-lined appearance. It is great for skin showing premature wrinkles, a sallow skin tone, chronic dryness, poor elasticity, dehydration, surface wrinkles or a sluggish appearance.

After applying the Oxygen Cocktail, keep pumping that oxygen into your skin by following it up with Bioelements Oxygenation ($50.00 for 1oz). This is an oxygen-rich creme containing stabilized hydrogen peroxide in a high-performance base reinforced with antioxidant vitamins and green tea. A small amount (no more than a pea) applied to your entire face will infuse your skin with oxygen as it “pushes” protective ingredients deep into surface layers to fight off environmental pollutants and reduce dullness. And the great thing about Oxygenation is that it is also an intensifier which speeds up the results you get from your other skincare products, helping them perform better.

I really liked both products when I tried them, but I think they would work even better on someone with more normal-to-dry skin, versus my normal-to-oily complexion. They did feel very soothing, but I felt I could only apply them at night, or else my skin might get greasy very quickly. My (thankfully) young skin doesn't need this kind of anti-aging treatment yet... I might pass it on to someone who does. It is Mother's Day soon...

Both products are available at spas nationwide and online at Spalook.com or Dermstore.com.

Breath Lovely!

Stila Sun Bronzing Powder

2009-04-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

The other day I finally ran out of the Laguna side of my NARS Orgasm/Laguna Blush/Bronzer duo (only took 1.5 years of using it every day!). Instead of purchasing a new one, I dug into my makeup box to find another option. Out popped Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder with SPF 15. I think I bought this awhile ago, either on recommendation or on a whim at Sephora, but regardless I never used it more than once or twice. Not sure why, because it is a great substitute. I have the darker shade and even on my very fair skin, it gives just a touch of sun.. without the cancer! At $28 it is a little more affordable than the NARS anyways. But using up what I already have is half the battle.

Bronze Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Blog Reads from the BBN

2009-04-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

Cybelesays.com investigates an organic nail polish remover. Does it work? Click here to find out.
Decorative Diva investigates a new mineral makeup company, Obsessed Minerals. Read here to see what she thinks about them.
A Touch of Blusher loves the look of Dior's Lilas Addict Collection.
Enter to win Elke's ONline Eyebrow Makeover and $30 in brow products. Hurry! Contest ends April 31st.
Beauty Anonymous reviews Elizabeth Arden's Intervene Timefighting Radiance Serum and Stress Recovery Night Cream.
Melissa of The Makeup Divas reviews the new Prescriptives Motor-Eyes Instant Action mascara .
Win a Hana Professional Flat iron worth $89 at Beauty and Personal grooming. Click here to enter the giveaway!
Beauty Junkie in SF reviews Kenzo's Limited Spring Edition of FLOWERBYKENZO.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life let you in on Bobbi Brown's new Nautical Collection. Check it out here!!
Kyle at Face Candy tells you which limited edition MAC Dazzleglass is going to be a cult classic.
ThisThatBeauty is giving away three VICHY Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care. Click here to check it out !!!

Link Lovely!

Sonia Kashuk Spring Treasures Collection For Taget

2009-04-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of Sonia Kashuk's beauty products for Target for years and years. In fact, my ultimate fav blush/bronzer brush is one I bought from her collection like 7 years ago. It is still super soft and hasn't started losing its bristles hardly at all. Sonia Kashuk seems to develop good quality products at VERY reasonable prices. So I was thrilled to try out a few things from her limited edition spring 2009 collection. The limited edition collection marks Sonia Kashuk’s tenth anniversary with Target, celebrating ten years of providing quality cosmetics and professional beauty tools at affordable prices. Wahoo.

The spring 2009 collection is inspired by the ocean, combining innovative design with exotic marine life and high quality materials... at really recession-friendly prices! I got to try out the Hidden Treasure Brush Set ($19.99) and the how to create the "Freshness of Spring" palette ($19.99).

The brush set is a little on the cheesy side with the silver coral handles, but it would make a

really cute gift. The quality of the brushes is top notch, as I well know. The set includes a blush/powder brush, large eye shadow brush, angled eye shadow brush, nylon concealer brush, crease eye shadow brush and small eye shadow brush. The set of brushes come in a chic, coral-print case with luxe silver lining that can double as a clutch.

The "Freshness of Spring" palette is actually a very well puty together palette. I'm often not very found of palettes that include lip glosses, since they tend to get messy or are never used. But the eye colors and blush color makes up for it on this one! The palette includes step-by-step instructions on how to create a soft look that is perfect for spring. It includes three shades for eyes, pale pink, lovely deep lilac and a highlighting shadow that adds a serious shimmer. Lacquer your lips with three varied lip colors including an shimmering pink, a sheer rose and a flirty red. A soft pink blush completes the look for a fresh, flawless face that just screams spring.

Spring Lovely!

Flower By Kenzo Spring Fragrance Limited Edition

2009-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

FlowerByKenzo is a lovely powdery floral fragrance that is loved by many. For this spring, Kenzo has come out with a Spring Limited Edition scent. They call it a "sparkling floral" which I think I can agree with. It is welcoming the return of life and brightness, after the cold darkness of winter, with notes of lively mandarin, ginger and yummy lychee fruit. The middle contains parma violet, feesia, and at its base is white musk and incense.

The bottle is also a reflection of spring's arrival, with a singular light-hearted poppy blowing in the breeze, incased in a frosted glass. It sure is a nice addition to my growing collection of perfume bottle.

Hello Spring!

Kiehl's for Earth Day: Tons of Ways to Give Back!

2009-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to let you know about Kiehl’s Earth Day initiative, an environmental and celebrity partnership which will raise funds for Waterkeeper Alliance.
This spring, Kiehl’s is introducing a larger size (16 oz.) of their Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion with a Limited Edition Label Art Series ($55). They are donating 100% of Net Kiehl’s Proceeds from the series to benefit Waterkeeper Alliance. The lotion is made with organic, fairly traded Moroccan Argan oil and the bottles are made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled packaging. Now that is Earth friendly!
They have partnered with four socially conscious celebrity influencers-- Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu, Kelly Slater, and a team of students from Parsons The New School for Design--to create Limited Edition labels, for four truly unique and beautiful designs certain to become collectible items. Go to your local Kiehl's store and check them out yourself!

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Chairman, Waterkeeper Alliance says: "With $100,000, the amount that Kiehl’s has set out to raise through the sale of this limited edition product, Waterkeeper Alliance will provide critical professional training to nearly 200 Waterkeeper Alliance organizations and develop climate change and post-carbon transition strategies at this year’s Annual Conference. Waterkeeper Alliance will convene top experts to increase leadership skills and fortify relationships that are essential to the successful guardianship of communities and watersheds around the world. We thank Kiehl’s for their continued support and praise them for their continued efforts to protect and preserve community waterways from polluters around the world.”

The limited edition body lotions are available in Kiehl’s free-standing stores on April 20, in time for Earth Day 2009, while supplies last.

In conjunction with the Limited Edition product, Kiehl’s has launched www.kiehlsgivesback.com, a web site designed to share the complete scope of thier partnership with their patrons. Through this new site, you can learn more about Waterkeeper Alliance and their partnership, and participate in two limited-time, web-only events:

EARTH DAY ONLINE AUCTION: April 22-April 24, 2009

Beginning on Earth Day, April 22, www.kiehlsgivesback.com will host a three-day online auction of 10 unique items to further support Waterkeeper Alliance. Featuring one-of-a-kind signed items donated by their partners, the auction runs for three days, April 22 through April 24 here, and 100% of all proceeds generated from this auction will be donated to Waterkeeper Alliance.

Auction items include:

* Adrian Grenier Autographed Season 4 - Entourage DVD Set (2 Sets)
* Best of Kiehl's Since 1851 - For MEN ($494 Value)
* Best of Kiehl's Since 1851 - For WOMEN ($493 Value)
* Kelly Slater Autographed AL MERRICK TUFLITE (SURFTECH) K-BOARD Surfboard
* Kelly Slater Autographed Biography – For The Love, by Kelly Slater, Jack Johnson, and Phil Jarratt.
* "ISREAL" LIMITED EDITION Poster, designed by Emek, signed by Erykah Badu and Emek
* "Moscow, Russia" LIMITED EDITION Poster, designed by Emek, signed by Erykah Badu and Emek
* PARSONS: Online Course: Hot Cities, Cool Solutions: Living in a Low-Carbon World ($570 Value)

These items are currently available for preview here, and bidding begins at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, April 22, ending at 11:59 AM on Friday, April 24.

10/10/10 ONLINE CHARITY EVENT,April 23-May 6, 2009

Since their inception, Kiehl’s has been committed to the service of our communities, and offering the highest quality products with honesty, integrity, and value to their customers. To further honor Earth Day and the environment, they are offering ten days of their ten top-selling products, for just $10. 100% of the proceeds of this event, up to $10,000, will be donated to Waterkeeper Alliance.

HOW IT WORKS: Beginning April 23, each day for 10 week days, they will offer 100 units of a single Kiehl’s product for $10, from 11 AM EST to 1 PM EST, for that day only. For example, on April 23, 100 units of Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara in Black will available for $10 from 11 AM EST to 1 PM EST. That day’s offer ends at 1 PM EST, or, when all 100 units are sold. The next day, 100 units of another product will be offered during that time frame, and so on.

This event takes place during the business week only, and you can sign up here for daily alerts about each day’s product.

Kiehl’s products to be offered during this event will be:

* Marvelous Mineral Mascara, Black: April 23
* Coriander Liquid Hand Soap: April 24
* Close-Shavers Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, White Eagle: April 27
* Creme de Corps (8.4 oz): April 28
* Facial Fuel (4.2 oz): April 29
* Abyssine Cream + : April 30
* Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado: May 1
* Ultra Facial Cream (1.7 oz.): May 4
* Amino Acid Shampoo (8.4 oz.): May 5
* Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion (6.8 oz.): May 6

Love The Earth with Kiehl's this year!

Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo and Conditioner

2009-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have been an on and off user of Herbal Essences's shampoos and conditioners since I was in high school. I am a total sucker for their luscious scents and cheap prices. So when they sent me their whole line of new Hydralicious Shampoos and Conditioners, I was giddy. Since I have naturally very fine, thin hair I am trying out the "featherweight", in the yellow bottles. So far, I love them. The shampoo come out as a mixture of yellow and orange in a thick juicy sauce that lathers up into a yummy suddiest experience that smells like white water lily nectar and passion fruit. The conditioner is just the right amount of moisturizer for my hair, and yet de-tangles it completely. The smell matches and is also divine.

Besides the "featherwight", Hydralicious also comes in "self-targeting" for normal hair (neither dry nor oily) and "reconditioning" for drier hair types. Pick the one that suits your hair and get to washing! It will please your scents and your hair!

Suds Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-04-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Elke finds another Wet & Wild beauty must have.
Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search shares her 5 favorite lip liners. She thinks that everyone should have at least one of them in their makeup bag.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway!!! Enter to win a copy of both Bobbi Brown's Living Beauty and Charla Krupp's How Not to Look Old. Click here to enter !!!
Beauty and Fashion Tech explains why you should ignore those acai berry diet ads.
Melissa from The Makeup Divas finds another Holy Grail foundation and thinks you will love it to! While you are there, check out all of her giveaways, and enter them today !
Beauty Anonymous brings you Givenchy Summer 2009 Makeup Collection.
ThisThatBeauty is giving away THREE Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lip Glosses. The shade, "Promiscuous" is perfect for Spring.
Beauty Junkie in SF gives you the skinny on Diptyque's new body care line and where you can get free samples.
A Touch of Blusher reviews RMK's latest foundation.
Decorative Diva reviews Spell Cosmetics.
Cybelesays.com is giving people a chance to win ALL the Too Faced products Gwen Stefani is taking on her upcoming tour with her. Click here to enter!
Face Candy reviews 3 awesome Jouer Cosmetics products.

Link Lovely!

Boscia Clear Complexion Kit

2009-04-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Although I have my suspicions (going to bed with my makeup on, hormones, weather change, etc.), I'm not entirely sure why I started breaking out the other week. All I knew was I needed a change, or at least to amp up my skin care routine to fight that nasty bacteria and dry those pimples out! I received Boscia's Clear Complexion Kit a long time ago, but hadn't gotten around to trying it out. What a better time then when my skin needed clearing up?! It seems to be a great system for someone like me, with combination skin that can get irritated and dried out with certain acne fighting products. The tonic is super refreshing after cleansing the the treatment serum goes on easy and doesn't feel too sticky. The moisturizer I had tried before, so I knew it was light and absorbs moderately fast and doesn't have be greasy a few hours later. After a week of treatment, my skin is on the way to looking much better, without any yucky dry feeling spots or new breakouts. Yay bosica. Goes to show, natural products can work just as good as the chemically stuff.

Fight Lovely!

Korres Lip Butters

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Since I am such a fan of body butters, it makes perfect sense that I would also enjoy lip butters! Korres, a natural skincare line from Athens, Greece, have great pots of lip butters ($9) with exotic flavors like guava, quince, and wild rose. The guava one is clear, while the others have a tint of red or rose color to them, making them good for a girl who wants no fuss and a lot of moisture. Its all about the shea butter, baby! And the rice bran in them is what seals the moisture in and make it last and last.

Butter Lovely!

Diptyque Art of Body Care Line

2009-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a fellow franco-phile and/or LOVE the Diptyque line of candles as much as I do, you will be thrilled at the latest news:

Diptyque is launching the “Art of Body Care” line – five new products with five new fragrances. This line is a departure from their classic home and eau de toilette offerings and marks a new direction for the company. This is truly a sensorial, olfactive journey that takes you around the Mediterranean Sea, from Florence to Byzantium, Aleppo to Alexandria, and on to Cordoba, Spain. These five destinations have inspired five original body care products, with five distinct characteristics and five captivating fragrances:

The products are designed for the well-being of both the body and soul, and the formulas do not contain any phthalates, parabens, synthetic coloring agents, TEA, DEA, glycols, silicones, PEG, aluminum or sulfates derived from petrochemicals.

Creamy Body Wash in Olive Flower and Bay Laurel; $46.00
Fresh Body Lotion in Orange Blossom; $58.00
Rich Body Butter in Turkish Rose; $90.00
Luxurious Hand Balm in Apricot; $38.00
Body & Bath Oil in Iris; $78.00

I'm very excited to go check it out at their store on Maiden Lane here in SF. Both there and store on Bleaker street in NYC will be giving out samples of the new body line with any purchase, so check them out! If you don't live in those areas, the body line will also be available at other Diptyque retail locations.

Care Lovely!

Pur~lisse be moist and stay protected gift set

2009-04-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

It is going to be mothers day before you know it, so you better start looking for a fabulous gift to give your mom. She deserves it! Gift her with something luxurious that she probably would not get for herself, like this awesome gift set from natural skincare brand Pur~lisse. The be most and stay protected gift set contains three of their top selling essentials: Pur~protect essential daily moisturizer,Pur~Moist hydra balance moisturizer, and Pur~lip comfort daily lip nourisher. I got to try two of the three items and they are awesome. The lip nourisher is so good at smoothing out my often rough, flaky pout. I put it on a night before I got to bed and my lips stay soft and moisturized through the night. I also put it on before I apply lip gloss. It creates a layer of moisture, which is often needed with some of my stickier glosses. The hydra balance moisturizer is great too. It goes on super smooth and isn't "wet" like most moisturizers, so I don't have to wait ages for my skin to absorb it. It is infused with Pur~lisse's special Lotus Lupine Peptide Complex, Vitamin E and their secret blend of French Marine Plants. Sounds fancy, right? Well, at $125 for the set, it is sure to make your mom feel fancy!

Gift Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Makeup Divas reviews the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. While you are there, check out all of her giveaways and enter for some fabulous prizes!
Face Candy gives you the opportunity to win some MAC Sugar Sweet goodies.
Beauty Anonymous brings you YSL Summer 2009 Makeup Collection.
A Touch of Blusher reviews Clinique's Youth Surge SPF 15.
Beauty Junkie in SF has found a way to visit the tropics without leaving her bedroom, with the help of Pacifica's yummy products!
Felicia from ThisThatBeauty shows of the NEW Minerals Color Collection from Prescriptives. Check out Felicia's FACE OF THE DAY!
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life share Chanel's new Summer line with you. Check it out here. And while you are there enter to win a copy of Bobbi Brown's Living Beauty and Charla Krupp's How Not to Look Old!!
Elke shares how to spot fix a makeup goof.

Link Lovely!

Anastasia's Brow Definer

2009-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Queen of Brows has done it again! I honestly thought I had no use for another product to fix up my lashes, but Anastasia has come up with an awesome new item that will be on top of my pile going forward. The Brow Definer ($22) consists of a skinny tipped pencil in a neutral shade (I think almost everyone can use it, swear!) on one side and their fabulous clear brow gel with a mascara wand on the other side. Fill in your brows where sparse with light short strokes of the pencil and then quickly brush them with the brow gel into place. Presto! Perfectly defined (but NOT over done) brows for everyday, with only one product.

Define Lovely!

CoverGirl Fresh Complexion Concealer

2009-04-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

While I love my precious YSL Touche Eclat, times are tough for everyone (including me) so it is s good idea to have a cheaper option waiting in the wings. I think I discovered Cover Girl's Fresh Complexion Concealer one day when my makeup had gone to hell and I had to run to the drugstore to fix it before I met up with friends after work. It has turned out to be my favorite cheap-o concealer ever. The doe-foot wand and liquid formula is super easy to apply and blends in well, especially to cover dark under eye circles. It is not quite thick enough to cover serious blemishes, but it works as a quick color corrector for my red blotchy areas. I follow it with some powder foundation and end up with a flawless "no-makeup" look. For $4.99-$5.50 it is certainly a bargain buy!

Conceal lovely!

Pacifica: Yummy Body Butters and Candles

2009-04-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

I was a little surprised that a big store like Sephora would decide to carry a little label like Pacifica, but I guess that is how they grow little brands into big ones. I have seen Pacifica products in small boutiques for quite a few years now. Their packaging is very ornate and eye-catching, so they are easy to spot. They have a collection of amazing scent offerings, all tropical and very fruity/floral so it is no wonder I love them ALL. They are also made from mostly natural products and so far I'm happy with everything I've bought from them.

A few months back I picked up a bottle of the perfume spray in (one of my favorite scents) Tuscan Blood Orange at an adorable boutique called Picnic on Polk Street in Russian Hill. I love it because it reminds me of gallivanting around Italy back when I studied abroad in college.

Sephora has chosen not to carry these perfume sprays, only the solid scents, but some of their other offerings are equally as lust-worthy. I picked out a yummy body butter in Brazilian Mango Grapefruit ($15), which is a perfect way to get me in the mood for spring. I always use body butter after I shave, so this just makes that task all the more pleasant.

I also picked up a sweet smelling soy candle in Bali Lime Papaya ($16). My dangerously curious kitten thought the candle smelled so good, he went to sniff it and burned a few whiskers off, poor guy! Don't worry, I burn the candle high up on a book shelf from now on, promise!

Smell Lovely!

Luxe Makeup by Rock and Republic

2009-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Clothing labels have been branching out into beauty and fragrance for a long time (think Chanel, YSL, Dior, etc.). So its not THAT weird that Rock & Republic has come out with their own line of beauty products. It is a little strange though that they think they can sell a bronzing/highlighting powder compact for $225!!! The first time I saw that it a magazine, I thought it was a mis-print. Thankfully the rest of their line is much more resonable, if on the higher end of the normal spectrum of prices. And from the few items I've tried, I'd say the quality lives up to the price tag.

The Luxe Lip Gloss ($28) is a great tasting gloss that gives a decent amount of color and lasts a few hours. I got it in Drama Queen, a fun candy pink with a good shine to it. My favorite though was the pressed eyeshadow compacts ($28). The pigment of the two shades I tried (wicked and envy) were absolutely amazing. Very deep colors that are great for using in the crease, and yet have the tiniest bit of sparkle too. There are also matte and satin shades available. The compacts are beautiful and well made, so I guess they are worth the price. They will probably last a long time as well. The line is currently available at select Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus stores.

Rock Lovely!

L'Oreal EverPure Shampoo and Conditioner

2009-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm all about finding a great shampoo and conditioner I can grab at Walgreens when I run out, especially in these economic times. So when I got sent two bottles of L'Oreal's new natural, sulfate-free, vegan haircare line, EverPure, I was excited to try them out. I've been using the EverPure Moisture Shampoo (rosemary and juniper) and Moisture Conditioner (rosemary and mint) for over a month now and I am totally satisfied with the results. My hair is in great condition even though I haven't highlighted it for 3 months and cut it for 2 months (trying to pinch some pennies... so painful!). It has been a very dry in SF lately, so I think the extra moisture has been good, but I think I will try the Volume version next, since that is still my main concern. The smell of rosemary and mint is not one I would normally think I would like, but it has definitely grown on me. It is a refreshing way to start the day, and I like knowing that harsh sulfates aren't stripping my hair away. For $6.99 each, these are a great way to save some cash on your hair and stay away from nasty synthetic hair products. Not to mention the shampoo suds up quite nicely and the conditioner smooths out my tangles like nobody's business! What more do I really need?

Suds Lovely!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the BBN

2009-04-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

Elke shares a super cool mascara trick.
The Makeup Divas are giving away some MAC Sugarsweet products! So head on over and ENTER today!
Beauty Anonymous reviews Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20 PA++.
A Touch of Blusher samples Chanel's skincare items.
Beauty Junkie in SF finds spring inspiration from Smashbox's Muse Collection.
The Shades Of U is having an Easter Giveaway contest with MAC Hello Kitty and Dame Edna items as prizes, along with other amazing giveaways! CLICK HERE to enter! Hurry, time is limited!
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life , got a chance to interview Cheri Keating from Head and Shoulders. Check it out here. And while you are there don't forget to enter their giveaway to win a home Galvanic Spa!
Felicia from ThisThatBeauty uncovers an amazing Mineral High Definition line of cosmetics.CHECK IT OUT!!!

Link Lovely!

Sephora by OPI Digital Diva Collection

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

The sunny spring weather calls for bright colored dresses and open toed sandals. To go along with that, you need to brighten up your nail colors! I wasn't immediately attracted to the Digital Diva Collection, Sephora by OPI's first new release of shades since they launched last year. I thought they were a little on the crazy side, but maybe that was because when they came out, it was still rainy and miserable in the city. Now that it is sunny and warm, I want my nails to reflect that! I bought a brightly colored dress for a recent day trip up to wine country and I needed a fun nail color to go with it. I'm Wired, a super bright "electric coral red" turned out to be perfect. Looking down at my nails makes me happy and so thankful that winter is over. Go check out the rest of the Digital Diva collection at a Sephora near you or on Sephora.com. It will make you happy too, promise!

Polish Lovely!