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So Sorry!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!