Beauty pro division

The advent of long-lasting make-up and the resurgence of heavy creams are stimulating a lot of dirty activity on skin, contributing to under-surface congestion and an overall dull complexion. Add in our skin’s natural sebum (oil) and environmental pollutants that surround us in the air and we have quite the cocktail of debris lingering on skin and working down into our pores.

Now just think back to that cleanse you performed today: does it seem like it was thorough enough to cut through it all? Chances are it was not, because the average person cleanses their skin for only 20 seconds with a water-soluble cleanser that cannot thoroughly break down and remove all that oil-based debris.

You remember the saying oil and water don’t mix, right? The same principle applies to your water-based cleanser and the oil-based debris on your skin. And if they don’t mix, and instead repel each other, how is your water-based cleanser going to ever remove that oil, dirt and grime?

Truth is only oil can cut through and thoroughly remove oil. (Don’t worry oil-phobes! There are oils that rinse clean from skin without leaving a greasy residue or contributing to any additional oily build-up.) And with the right oil-based cleanser, layers of oily debris are adequately removed, leaving behind nothing but ultra-clean skin.

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is good for your complexion.

False. In general, people do not need to drink 8 glasses of water a day for any health benefits. It's good as an appetite suppressant and obviously to keep yourself from dehydration, but water alone won't help your complexion. That is based on a combination of genetics, healthy eating habits, managing stress and taking care of your skin with a good
skincare routine.

Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.

False. Hair grows a half inch every month regardless of it being cut or not. It does tend to grow faster in the summer than winter. Hormones play a factor as well, as most pregnant moms know that their hair will grow faster during pregnancy.

There's no need to slap on the sunscreen when it's an overcast day.

False. Clouds or not, UV rays can still penetrate your skin. You should always wear sunscreen when heading outdoors in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter when you are all covered up, you should be wearing a moisturizer and/or foundation with an SPF--and don't forget SPF for your lipcare either!

Shaving makes your hair grow back thicker.

False. Your hair may appear thicker, but it is only because of the angle you cut it at.

Drinking coffee, eating chocolate and greasy foods causes acne.

False. While some of these foods can make acne worse, it is not the cause of it. Acne is a hormonal issue.

Eggs and Mayonnaise are good conditioners for your hair.

False. First, I can't even imagine putting eggs and mayonnaise in my hair just for the smell factor alone. If you want well moisturized, soft tresses, stick to the conditioners you can find in the beauty aisle.

Toothpaste gets rid of zits.

False. Toothpaste will dry out your skin, but it certainly won't rid your skin of acne.

Hair care products can repair split ends.

False. Split ends can be temporarily "glued" back together with hair products, but once the product is washed out, the split ends return. The only way to fix a split end, is to cut it off.

You should stick to one product line for your beauty products.

False. All I ask is why? Nothing bad will happen if you mix and match products, in fact I do it all the time because I love a concealer by one company and love an eyeshadow by another. The same goes for hair care products and skin care. Mix it up!

Dry skin causes wrinkles.

False. Wrinkles are caused by internal and external factors including sun damage. Fine lines are also caused by repetitive smiling and frowning, etc.

Today I was reading in Women’s Wear Daily that Estee Lauder will be launching a foundation line under its very popular skin care line Resilience Lift Extreme. The foundation will be debuting in 2007 with a marketing campaign that includes Elizabeth Hurley. While ads with Hurley could never persuade me to buy this makeup, because really now, she’s already gorgeous and doesn’t portray the typical person who would need this foundation; the ingredients and science behind the foundation alone might do the trick.

At the age of 32, I’ve definitely noticed my skin losing elasticity and firmness. Since I am not yet ready to take the plunge into plastic surgery and cannot use anything involving chemicals or hormones due to being pregnant, I look to skin care and makeup to give me a temporary fix. The cocktail in this foundation is said to consist of triterpines, tetra and hexapeptides, just as the moisturizer it is named after does. It also includes Polylift, a protein-rich flexible film, that makes skin feel tighter upon application; a lipid complex designed to restore the skin’s natural surface epidermal layer, and seigesbecka, a plant extra that helps the skin maintain its natural elastin and collagen levels. It almost sounds too good to be true and for only $29.50, it surely sounds like it should have a much higher price point.

While Estee Launder will be mainly taking the traditional approach in marketing this foundation, they will also launch an internet campaign early next year. As a makeup Blogger, I am crossing my fingers and toes that this includes marketing to Bloggers for reviews. I will feverishly raise my hand to be one of the lucky ones to try out this foundation that seems like it may be the (temporary) answer to a lot of my aging woes.

What do you think? Too good to be true or truly good?

ION Silk Solutions Drops
4 out of 5 Stars
My sister in law is in town this weekend and had this handy hair treatment in her cosmetics bag. Since I had my hair colored last weekend, it's been a bit tangly and frizzy. I asked my SIL how it worked on her hair and she reported that it was "magic." So I gave it a try myself…Read More.

Avon Instant Manicure
5 out of 5 Stars
I've been very curious about this product, as I can really never wear nail polish on my fingers for a variety of reasons; the inability to be patient while they dry, chipping by the end of the day, color peeling off, the scent associated with polish. Did I mention the inability to be patient while they dry? It seems that as soon as I polish my nails I always feel the need to wash dishes (lying), fold laundry (lying again) or do housework (hat trick). Kidding aside, I haven't worn nail polish on anywhere except my toes for so long because I hate how soon it wears off…Read More of Part I, then Part II.

Dorit Baxter Day Spa
Review of their 30 Minute Full Body Scrub & 30 Minute Full Body Massage
5 out of 5 Stars
Dorit Baxter Day Spa is one of the top Spa's in New York City, which has been featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, CNN and beauty magazines like Allure and W. It is located on 47 West 57th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues on the 3rd floor. As I approached the spa off of the busy street, I wondered how anyone could offer serenity amid the commotion of taxi cabs, bustling pedestrians and the fast pace life that is New York City…Read More.

mark. Hook Up Lip Gloss
4 out of 5 Stars
mark.'s Hook Up is a collection of mascara, creamy eye shadow, liquid eyeliner and lipg loss that can hook together with a connector, creating convenience when you go searching through your handbag looking to freshen your face. So you can hook two lip glosses together, a body shimmer and eye shadow and so on. The Hook Up Connector has been featured in magazine's such as Allure, InStyle and Glamour…Read More.

If you are over the age of 30, chances are that you have noticed your facial skin start to change. Women in peri-menopause and menopause start to notice the loss of elasticity and moisture in their skin, which many times requires them to change the skin care routine they had been implementing previously. I know oftentimes, my mother, grandmother and aunts ask me what products are out there to combat the signs of aging, at least on the surface level without plastic surgery.

Below is a list of the 12 skin symptoms associated with estrogen loss as complied by Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a dermatologist and creator of kaplanMD. As you go through each skin sign, see if you can relate.

1. Accelerated formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Adult acne.
3. Flushing/redness.
4. Loss of firmness.
5. Loss of elasticity.
6. Thinning, colorless or translucent skin.
7. Dull, lackluster skin,
8. Dry, dehydrated skin.
9. Uneven pigmentation.
10. Facial hair growth.
11. Photosensitivity (sensitive to sun exposure).
12. Hypersensitivity (skin is more sensitive to irritation, allergies and bruising).

I remember in my junior year in high school when Elizabeth Taylor came out with White Diamonds. It was kind of odd to see a big name actress extend beyond marketing her movies to marketing a perfume. This time stands out most for me as the first time a celebrity began to mass merchandise their name through not only endorsing a product, but by having a product made specifically to launch sales based on their name being attached and a collaborative effort between the celebrity and fragrance company.

Once Jennifer Lopez's perfume “Glow” really took off four years ago, more and more celebrities have been lured over to creating a perfume line. The latest ventures are with Coty and Gwen Stephani and reportedly, although not confirmed, with Kate Moss. I happen to love Gwen Stephani, but to wear her perfume? I’m not so sure. However, I must be in the minority, as celebrity-endorsed scents represent 23% of the top 100 women's fragrances last year, growing in popularity from 2003 by 10%.

Currently, Kylie Minogue's fragrance is outselling all other celebrity fragrances in the UK, although David Beckham's Intimately Her comes in a close second. So why the surge in celebrity fragrances, and most notably, their surge in popularity? Most likely due to the public’s obsession with the celebrity lifestyle, that somehow by wearing their perfume, one can live vicariously through the scent. Also, the fact that the celebrity is intimately involved in the fragrance creation process. Just as with a song or movie, you want your work to be a hit and not fade into oblivion the minute it debuts, so setting high standards and making sure the scent is just right is a key factor.

What are your thoughts? Do you prefer celebrity perfumes over powerhouse brands?

Looking for longer lasting results to cosmetically combat wrinkles? Then look no further than the newest dermal filler on the block: Radiesse. It was announced just this week that Radiesse has received FDA approval, which means you know that a lot of research and clinical independent studies went into this product and that it can stand by its results.

Dermal fillers are substances that are injected just below the surface of the skin to fill in lines, wrinkles, and scars. Unlike face lifts that stretch the skin, fillers add volume for a more natural youthful appearance. Dermal fillers tend to provide a more natural look than a face lift and can be typically done over your lunch hour.

There are several types of dermal fillers on the market; collagen, hyaluronic based fillers and now Radiesse, which is a calcium hydroxyl apatite filler. Radiesse is made of unique calcium-based microspheres that are suspended in a natural gel that is injected into the skin through a simple, safe and minimally invasive procedure. Using this technology stimulates your skin to produce new collagen.

Of all the dermal fillers out there, Radiesse has been proven to have the longest lasting results. While most last up to a year, Radiesse can last 2 or more years, which means you require less frequent injections.

You can learn more about this new dermal filler by visiting their website www.Radiesse.com or by finding an experienced Radiesse doctor local to you.

For a long while the only scent I would wear was Red Door. However, I’ve found that in each season of my life, my preference towards a certain fragrance changes. While Red Door remains my "fall back" scent, I’ve stopped repeatedly only buying that scent and venturing out to discover new fragrances to suit me.

I’m not alone in my less than loyal approach to fragrances. Many years back, if you purchased a certain brand or fragrance, it became your signature scent and one you would replenish each time the bottle went dry. Now perfume addicts everywhere are moving out of their comfort zone of just one fragrance or brand and moving on to having a menagerie of scents in their collection, not remaining loyal to any one in particular.

Due to our fickle nature, perfume powerhouse brands like L'Oreal and Clarins are seeing a decline in their sales figures month after month, making them race to the drawing board to start over and reconfigure their marketing tactics. Not only their marketing tactics, but creating new scents to keep their consumers happy.

AHAVA, known for its wonderful dead sea salt treatments, has now added another addition to their product line: Pure Spa. The Pure Spa line is an anti-ageing line that contains Dunaliella Sauna, a unique algae living in the Dead Sea that contains exceptionally high concentrations of Beta-Carotene, essential vitamins and antioxidants. Beta-Carotene, which is a powerful, natural antioxidant, helps maintain smooth, disease-free skin, neutralizing the effect of free radicals, reversing the signs of aging, improving skin elasticity, moisture content and suppleness. A lack of vitamin A can lead to oxidative stress, and cause the skin to lose elasticity, to become dry and more prone to wrinkling.

With such products as an Energizing Body Mud Mask, Placid Bath Salts and Body Sorbet Caress, you can’t help but automatically feel ready to be relaxed and rejuvenated by this new product line. The scents involved are Mandarin-Cedarwood and Syringa-Green Apple, which will revive your senses and give you an enduring sense of calm. I don’t know about you, but the Uplifting Butter Salt and Energizing Body Mud Mask seem to be calling my name.

tarte's Little Blot Book
4 out of 5 Stars
When I received my Little Blot Book, it indeed looked like a book. Adorable, yet stylish. When I popped it open, there was a decent sized mirror, mattifying powder, a small brush and blotting papers. It's compact, yet still gives you an enormous amount of product...Read More.

LipSense Liquid Lip Color
4 out of 5 Stars
The LipSense liquid lip color is basically a specially formulated lip color that tints your lips. To get a really nice deep color, you should apply 3 coats. This is a very thin formula, so 3 coats is not thick at all. In fact the lip color quickly absorbed into my lips, unlike lipstick or lipgloss that lay on top of your lips. LipSense Liquid Lip Color doesn't contain any moisturizers or emulsifiers, which is how it is able to absorb into your lips and not come off...Read More.

Besame Cosmetics
4 out of 5 Stars
The Souffle Foundation: At first I thought the jar looked small, however, I soon realized that I didn't need the typical amount of foundation using this Souffle. A little goes a very long way. It is light, goes on smooth and has the consistency in the jar of mousse...Read More.

Lip Glosses from Urban Apothecary
4 out of 5 Stars
Swizzle Stick is a gloss and a lip liner that detaches from the tube. So cool, so innovative. I am so rockin in the Malta color, as well. It's not too dark and has a really great shine to it. It's a thin feeling gloss, not goopy or sticky at all...Read More.

I admit it, I color my hair. If I didn’t, I would have that grey Bonnie Raitt stripe at the front of my hair. When I color my hair it tends to dry and frizz a little more than usual, an existing problem that gets magnified.

I love my Joico products, but also love trying out new things as well. This week for a review I tried out some products by Ojon specifically for dry, dull and chemically-treated hair. From the moment I opened the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, I knew this was going to be an experience.

While this winter has been a very mild one for most of us, it is still winter nonetheless. That means fluxuating temperatures outside which translates into turning up and down the thermostat. When the weather can’t seem to make up its mind, it means my skin pays the price. When there is no balance in nature, my skin gets dry or overly oily.

Thankfully, I began trying out Skingenic’s new Regenerating Moisturizer in the Fall, prior to the chaos that has been a very strange winter so far. The Regenerating Moisturizer utilizes exotic lychee fruits, which is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C, potassium and other age-defying elements. One such anti-oxidant contained in this moisturizer is Idebenone. It is the most powerful anti-oxidant available today, which promises to do wonders for your skin.

Within a week of using Skingenic’s Regenerating Moisturizer, I began to notice a difference. Areas of my face that normally would begin to flake seemed to be soft and supple. By week 3, I began getting compliments that my skin looked great. I’ve also noticed that my previous skin issues have lessened, especially since late fall into the winter are the worst times of year for my skin.

Skingenic also offers a restructuring eye cream, which I have not yet used but would be interested to hear from those who have. You can request free samples on their website at www.skingenic.com.

Nudes and the pale look of lips made its way out of the trend this past Fall and were replaced by red and bold lip colors. Fall into this winter have seen many celebrities and beauty experts making a statement with color. I know that many times color is feared, most especially red, but if you find the right mix of a bold color to match your skin tone, then anyone can wear the colors of the Winter season.

My favorite celebrity to make a statement with color is Gwen Stephani. Many pale-skinned women shy away from cherry reds, but Gwen always looks glamorous, as does another pale skinned music diva, Christina Aguilera.

Spring and summer will have some reds and fuscia’s remain, but it will make the transition to peaches, corals, and browns. The matte look will be back in and glosses out, which I will sorely miss as I love shine.

As we are only weeks away from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC, I’m already looking forward to finding out what the trend will be for this time next year. What are you predictions?

Nestled away on the beautiful island of Mauritius, a new Destination Spa has opened this month. One that is complete with exclusive spa treatments, luxurious beach-front suites and villas, as well as, leisure and health activities that include a fitness center, yoga and meditation center.

The Shanti Ananda Maurice’s spa treatments focus on Ayurveda to Thalassotherapy using both Contemporary and Traditional methods. Both are rooted in ancient Indian culture and have medicinal and therapeutic values. One example of an Ayurveda technique is called Shirodhara. This involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead. These liquids can be oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water or even plain water.

Aside from the wonderful spa treatments it provides, the location of this enchanting destination spa alone will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens, taking in views of the hills and Indian Ocean.

The Shanti Ananda offers all-inclusive packages that range from anti-ageing to stress management to weight management, among several others. Each package offers generous treatments and are available at a 20-25% discounted rate until April 30, 2007. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is sure to become a top rated Destination Spa.

John gets a car for his 16th birthday, while Vanessa gets a nose job. Sound unrealistic? It’s not and it’s a growing trend among the youth of our country and abroad. Actually, the high holidays are when most of these procedures are done so be on the lookout for very refreshed and well rested teen with effervescent perkiness! Plastic surgery as birthday gifts and graduation presents; what used to be reserved for adults and cosmetic purposes, slowly creeped into the world of those under 18. It began with microdermabrasion and facial peels to help with severe acne, then breast augmentation in respect to reductions or leveling out unevenness, but now has turned into something teens do “just for fun.”

The problem with teens is in how casual they take plastic surgery and do not understand the risks, or are mature enough to handle change or even worse, severe complications. In regards to maturity, most teens want the perfect nose, perfect breasts or to lose the extra pounds simply because they see their Photoshopped idols in a magazine and want to be just like them. Teens see plastic surgery as a quick fix.

The most sought after plastic surgeries for teens are liposuction, breast augmentation and rhinoplasty. The issue young teenage girls don’t take into consideration when opting to have the liposuction or breast implants is the obstacles later in life should they settle down and have a family. Such issues are not being able to breast feed if you have implants and the weight gain when you are pregnant which post-pregnancy may result in dimpling of your skin from liposuction. Should you be a candidate for bariatric surgery in your late teens, getting pregnant means that all of the nutrition goes directly to the baby and little to the mother, which then requires close monitoring and possible health risks.

Education of the risks, both short and long term, as well as the emotional changes are things that need to be discussed at length with a teen wanting to go under the knife.

Via PRWEB: Infinity Sun is taking Beverly Hills by storm with the world's first and only anti-aging sunless tanning technology. Infinity Sun was co-founded by Veronique Munro, one of the sunless tanning industry's most prominent pioneers and celebrity spray tanners.

Infinity Sun is the first all-natural sunless tanning technology, made with anti-aging anti-oxidants and pure botanicals that not only offer the client the most natural looking customized spray tan, but also hydrate the skin, enhancing natural skin tones and producing a luminescent glow that lasts up to two weeks.

Infinity Sun has joined forces with Jose Eber, world renowned hair stylist to the stars to offer both the famous and general public the most luxurious experience in sunless tanning available. Infinity Sun is enjoyed by celebrity notables such as Jessica Alba and Paris Hilton among others.

Infinity Sun is applied with a proprietary spray system, operated by a sunless tanning professional. The entire process takes approximately three minutes, leaving the skin with a stunning and natural golden brown glow.

Infinity Sun also offers a line of products to maximize the results and extend the life of the tan. Products include a non-abrasive exfoliator, which removes dead skin cells and a prep lotion, which evens the porosity of the skin, enabling the solution to more evenly penetrate the skin. Also available is an extender with shimmer, which extends the tan for an additional two to three days, leaving the skin looking dewy and radiant.

Infinity Sun delights the skin and senses with vanilla-scented aromatherapy in an alcohol-free sunless tanning aerosol. Created with 7 essential oils and vitamin A and E, Infinity Sun aerosol helps to maintain color on areas that are more prone to fading (face, hands and feet) between spray sessions.

Whether you enjoy star-gazing or would like to try Hollywood's latest and greatest advances in sunless tanning, Rodeo Drive is where you can now find this truly luxuriating treatment.

You can experience Infinity Sun at Jose Eber in Beverly Hills.

Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm
5 out of 5 Stars
Joico's Smoothing Balm is a hair product that is meant for straightening and protecting your hair, while being humidity-resistant. It is heat activated and comes in a 200ml bottle.
It has a yummy light guava (yet coconut) scent and a creamy texture that looks thick, but as you rub it in your palms, is thin to the touch. I only needed a dime size amount for my just-past-the-shoulder length hair…Read more.

Maybe Baby by Benefit
4 out of 5 Stars
This oh so pretty fragrance has Top notes of apricot and white ginger; Middle notes of water blossoms, lychee, bergamont and Base notes of white musk and warm peach…Read more.

Shea Butter Soap by Hollyrose Aromatherapy
3 out of 5 Stars
The soap was larger than expected and I loved the "Handmade" imprint. Holly's custom Aromatherapy blend is a mix of peppermint, sweet orange, bergamont, lavender and rosemary. I absolutely loved this scent. When using this soap in the shower, the scent was really refreshing and invigorating…Read more.

Brown Sugar Scrub from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
When you are pregnant, scents are a love hate affair, especially if they are food-related. Some immediately send you running for the bathroom, while others can create some pretty strong cravings. So was the case when I received some products from Bath and Body Bliss. As soon as I opened their Brown Sugar Scrub, immediate memories of Mulling Spices and wonderful Holiday memories came flooding back…Read more.

Clive Owen, a 41-year-old British actor, has been hired to be the latest celebrity to market products for the L'Oreal owned beauty company, Lancome. Previous celebrities that touted the brand are Uma Therman and Mena Suvari, among others. Lancome's hope is that his charming and rugged look will attract more men to feel comfortable purchasing skincare products.

Owen is reported to be getting $2.5 million pounds (you do the math to convert that to US$) for the advertising campaign. Owen will be appearing in ads for Lancome's new men's grooming line, called Lancome Homme, which includes fragrance and anti-ageing products. The ad campaign and products will launch this Spring in the US. However, you can see the products now on Lancome's international website, which I happen to think has a much better layout than their US website.

The almost ex-Mrs. Sir Paul McCartney has decided to take a stab at working in the beauty and health industry. Heather Mills, a former Model, will be launching her own website later this year called, “I Do Care,” offering fitness, health and beauty tips on how to live a green lifestyle.

Mills will also be launching her own line of beauty products that some see as a direct competition to Stella McCartney’s fragrance and soon to be released organic skin care line. Will the two be going head to head?

With an ongoing nasty divorce that involves a lot of he-said-she-said, most especially with a man many see as a musical icon and beloved legend, it’s hard to say if Mills can come out of it unscathed and launch a successful career in the health and beauty industry. Only time will tell.

What do you think?

I came across an interesting beauty line today by a company called SAMPAR. They are based in Paris and recently launched a new line of products called Winsome. The line is comprised of 5 products, which are meant to cleanse, contour, moisturize, protect and invigorate the body. What intrigued me most about SAMPAR is their investment in research to find natural active ingredients that can have a positive effect on the skin and go as far as looking at how their packaging can be beneficial to the product it holds.

The main component in their products is their Urban Active Complex, which contains Shea Butter, Mint Leaf and Vegetal and Milk Sugar. While I didn’t know the benefits of the last two ingredients prior to reading about them, I am well aware of how wonderful Shea Butter is for your skin. SAMPAR combines their Urban Active Complex with essential oils, biopeptides, natural vitamin C and antioxidants.

The Winsome Body line is one that offers protection from the elements such as lead, iron and chlorine found in tap water. While the Dew It Again Shower Gel, Joyous Body Milk and Lap of Luxury Sea Scrub sound divine; I am skeptical about two of the other products. Go Figure Slimming Gel claims to be able to eliminate and break down fats while preventing the appearance of new fat and the Lift Me Up Bust Cream says it can envelop the breasts with an invisible firming film for immediate enhancement. I honestly have yet to find any non-medical beauty product that can do either.

Have you tried any of the products from SAMPAR; what are your thoughts on them?

Add another celebrity to the mix in the fragrance industry. Christina Aguilera has signed a long–term deal with Proctor and Gamble Prestige Products to create a fragrance line in her name. Aguilera, a Grammy winner and popular singer-songwriter, P&G feels Aguilera targets a demographic they are looking to market to according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Aguilera’s deal comes on the heels of many other recent announcements of celebrities launching fragrance lines such as Gwen Stephani, Kylie Minogue and reportedly Kate Moss. There were 37 celebrity-endorsed scents over the last few years and the trend continues to surge. P&G says that they signed with Aguilera not to keep up with the trend, but because they wanted to reach a demographic and that the loyal fan base of Aguilera that is part of that demographic.

In a previous post I mentioned the surge in celebrity fragrances, but I have to wonder if soon the market will see an over saturation of it. While Jennifer Lopez has show staying power with her fragrance, will the over abundance of celebrity fragrances dilute the success of each new celebrity brand that makes it onto the shelves?

What do you think?

Dorit Baxter Day Spa, located in Midtown Manhattan, is now offering a massage specifically for those of us working on our computers, Blackberries and other tech devices all day long. Does your neck ache from hunching over? Your wrist hurt from all that mouse activity? Your fingers stiff from typing away? A tension relieving massage targeted at those areas sounds like heaven.

I’ve been to Dorit Baxter Day Spa and I know the wonderful service they provide. After watching the video of the BlackBerry Massage on Reuters today (once you get past a commercial), I so desperately longed to be back in New York City to have the aches in my neck and wrist worked out. Dorit Baxter and her staff are innovative when it comes to giving their clients what they long for. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this massage came as a result of client request. The “tech” massage is $95, but I’m sure your aching muscles will find it worth it.

As we become busier, so comes our need to find time to relax. Relaxing doesn’t necessarily mean vegging out on the couch. More and more people are taking the time from their schedule to indulge in posh spa treatments as the ultimate relaxation indulgence.

Going to the spa is like taking a step into a different world, it’s peaceful, it’s therapeutic, but it also speaks to luxury. As individuals continue to keep spa treatments in demand, more businesses are beginning to capitalize on this.

Hotels and resorts are beginning to offer spa services for their guests making what would’ve been an average hotel stay into an extraordinary one. One such resort that comes to mind that is local to me is Woodloch Pines Resorts. They recently opened their Lodge at Woodloch this past June (see photo gallery here), which is a Destination Spa that from its beginning stages, demanded high quality professionals for the ultimate in service. Woodloch wanted to stand out among its competitors and become a leader in the industry. They accomplished just that by being listed on the Forbes Top Most Luxurious Spa’s list, as well as being listed among the 100 Best Spa’s in the World by Insider’s Guide. Spa’s like The Lodge at Woodloch are thriving due to the growing demand for pampering in luxury and the overall concept of health and wellness.

Soaps from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
I crossed my fingers and hoped that the soap was just as good as the pretty packaging. The Seaweed Soap smelled so nice and you could just feel from the bar that this soap would just glide across your skin. The Seaweed Soap is made of kelp, sage, chamomile and is scented with sage and rosemary essential oils. I loved that this soap was mildly abrasive, exfoliating my skin nicely, while creating a great lather. This soap felt wonderful...Read more.

Bikini Kitty Shave System
3 out of 5 Stars
Bikini Kitty is a Shave Care System to eliminate and prevent razor rash, ingrown hair and provide an irritation free shave. Bikini Kitty's products are vegan and organic. The kit comes in a very handy vinyl bag with handles. It includes a Body Brush, Everyday Magic Spray, Shave Gel, No nick Razor Oil, Razor-burn soother and 2 single blade disposable razors...Read more.

Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstruct
4 out of 5 Stars
As my hair gets longer, I find that it splits and freys a little more easier, or just seems a little more obvious, and that my hair tangles a lot more causing me to wish (for just one millisecond) for short hair again. This product has been a miracle worker, along with the Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm...Read more.

Maryam's Soap Nook Exfoliating Body Wash
4 out of 5 Stars
My VIP package came from Maryam's Soap Nook. Today's review will be about her Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil and Jojoba Beads. This product was sent in an out of this world fragrance---Pomegranate and Wild Berries. This wonderfully pink Body Wash with it's blue-green Jojoba Beads lives up to my expectations of not only smelling wonderful, but also working just as well...Read more.

Kiss My Face was a green beauty company before green became an in thing. Every product they sell is organic without anything artificial at all. Yet going organic certainly doesn’t mean that quality is compromised at any point or that organic means a heavy price point. Most Kiss My Face users will tell you, their products are top notch and won’t break the bank in the process.

It’s not very often that you can go to a company’s website and read the background on how things were started, and if you can find one, you certainly will not find one so personable and down to earth. When you read the story behind how Kiss My Face began and their mission and purpose of their products you can’t help but feel their humor, lightheartedness, and of course their love for our great Earth. Their story is definitely a Squash to Riches story and one I think everyone should read.

Kiss My Face sells a variety of products for your bath, body and more. The products range from hair care to soap to facial moisturizers. Since we all know that organic is not only earth friendly, but also skin friendly, more people who may have a sensitivity to ingredients in other products may find comfort here.

If you use Kiss My Face, what is your favorite product from their line?

In the winter my hair gets so dry. And frizz? It is positively unruly. So this season I decided to take a new approach to my hair by using a daily leave in conditioner as opposed to the wash and rinse kind.

I received bain de terre, which is part of the Zoto’s brand, White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment. What’s interesting about this bottle is that the opening is on the bottom with a cap that twists open to allow product to come through a hole in the center. This is the least messy bottom capped bottle I have ever used.

The scent is light, delicate and floral. The conditioner itself is not thick or pasty, but easily workable through your hair (and I have long, thick hair). I only needed a little more than a pea-sized amount for my hair. I rubbed it between my hands, smoothed it through my hair and then used a pick to make sure that it was evenly distributed. This renewal treatment is not heavy and doesn’t weigh your hair down.

After styling my hair as usual, I noticed a wonderful shine to my hair. It makes your scalp feel great too in these very dry months. The white lily daily leave-in renewal treatment has some fabulous ingredients for your hair, such as Soy Protein, Gingko Biloba and Sunflower Seed Extract. It definitely makes my hair look and feel healthier.

You can find it on www.zotos.com under bain de terre Spa Therapy for your hair.

Decleor Paris is a luxurious face, body and suncare line for both men and women. Decleor was founded by a team of aromatherapy experts who use their knowledge of active plant extracts to create a comprehensive line of products that are both preventative and on going natural skin care. Decleor is also partnered by Shiseido, known for their wonderful beauty products, and are also the 4th largest beauty group in the industry.

Essential oils have wonderful healing properties with aromatic fragrances that, depending on which oil is used or combined with another, promotes such things as well being, calm, relaxation and so on, therefore promoting balance of both body and mind.

While Decleor’s packaging makes you feel like you just bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s, don’t be fooled that the luxury ends there. It’s what is inside the package that is luxurious, making your skin look and feel like you just spent hours at the spa. In fact, Decleor also offers Salon and Spa treatments at select locations. Within the US, it is at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles where you can receive their Aroma Mosaic treatments that focuses on care of your face, body and the effects of the sun. Each focused treatment is broken down to be tailor made based on the needs of each individual.

You can find Decleor products in various cities throughout the country or locate one close to you with your zip code through their website: www.decleor-us.com

I’m certainly not a scientist, but I am pretty educated and try to always read both sides to a story. Just like when everyone screamed that mineral oil was bad for you, it eventually was proven that it was not. However, you still find many companies today touting how awful mineral oil is for your skin while offering you their version of something safer. I have yet to find a website stating that mineral oil is harmful while not trying to also sell you something in the process. I had been skeptical myself, but after some researching of my own and contacting my friends at The Beauty Brains blog (who happen to be both cosmetic chemists with 30 years experience), they insisted it was all hype and that mineral oil was indeed the best moisturizing product for your skin. So I have learned to look deeper into an issue than to be frightened by scare tactics.

Unfortunately, scare tactics are the route that Dr. Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition is taking when going after Origins, an Estee Lauder company. They try pointing out that Origins cannot be taking, "A totally integrative approach to skin care ... to help your skin be as healthy as possible, (and) optimize its defenses against age accelerators" claiming that Origins uses parabens (among other ingredients) in their products. They site that parabens are known to cause “endocrine disruptive.” However, there has not yet been one study that has conclusively, 100% proven this.

Somme Institute's MDT5, Molecular Dispersion Technology 5, was brought to life through the collaboration of leading research dermatologists and scientists rigorously testing their product and observing and tracking results using ultra-violet cameras. Ultra-violet cameras are the only way to see beneath the skin's surface and detect damage not visible to the naked eye. The MDT5 complex consists of vitamins A, C, E, D, B3 and B5, which are non-prescription yet highly effective in strength when working together.

The main purpose of their product line is to combat acne without over drying the skin. Over drying the skin makes acne worse by further clogging pores when it sends the sebaceous glands into overdrive trying to compensate for your dry skin. Other effects of the product line are reducing fine lines and wrinkles, reduce sun damage and lighten brown age spots, and improve skin’s tone, texture and clarity. While some can come to see improvement in a few days, true improvement comes over time and with daily use can shown prominent results in 4 weeks.

The 5 products in Somme Institute's line are the Nourishing Cleanser, Transport, Serum, A-Bomb and Double Defense Day Moisture SPF 30. Each product contains the MDT5 complex while also containing additional blends of ingredients unique to each product.

If you have used Somme Institute's products, I’m interested to know what you thought of them.

Sharon Bolton Scents
4 out of 5 Stars
Sharon Bolton Scents gifted me with her Body Wash, Lotion and Perfume Oil in Luv. Luv smelled like heaven. It smelled like luxury in a bottle. Luv is the scent of rare pink gardenias, lush Hawaiian white flowers, with a hint of creamy vanilla and a whisper of white musk. The Body Wash is thick and creamy and makes you feel like you are showering at a 5 Star hotel. This scent absolutely lifted my spirits and made me feel like I was being purely indulgent...Read more.

Darshan Beauty: Luna P.M. Creme & Multani Mud Facial Mask
5 out of 5 Stars
Darshan Beauty products are all natural, and because of this, they are only made in small batches to prevent them from spoiling. This thick night cream is made with aloe leaf oil and extract combined with noncomedogenic sesame oil. I can't say it is fragrance free, because there is some scent to it. However, it appeared to be the natural scent of the ingredients and not any added fragrance...Read more.

Pure & Petal Hair Fragrance
4 out of 5 Stars
When I was approached to test out the products I was intrigued because I have never really heard of fragrance for your hair beyond that in your typical shampoo or styling aid. The fragrances are light, so you don't have to worry about smelling like a perfume factory and they are also alcohol-free, so it won't dry out your hair. My favorite was Linden Blossom which is floral linden blossoms and pink grapefruit...Read more.

Booty Parlor Dust Up Body Shimmer
3 out of 5 Stars
Punch Drunk Pink was my favorite because of my fair skin. It provided a light shimmer, that honestly when you dabb some powder on, instantly makes you feel a little "vixen-ish." Punch Drunk Pink is scented like cotton candy and is not glittery, but actually makes your skin glow...Read More.

NicoDerm has launched a new anti-wrinkle campaign for smokers looking to quit called “The Beauty of Quitting.” This new campaign is targeted at the other effects smoking has on you that many do not take into account. Of course cancer is serious and absolutely life threatening, however smoking has a long list of side effects that also include wreaking havoc on your skin. Pierce Mattie is very much against smoking and encourages all of his employees not smoke. In fact, he pays for those that do to go on the patch.

As an ex-smoker myself, I can tell you that there were definite things I noticed while smoking. My “smoking hand,” most especially the fingernails nearest my cigarette, were always yellow; my skin was always dry no matter how much lotion I slapped on; and my teeth looked grayish in color. I was only a smoker for 5 years, but still began to see the effects take shape in that small period of time. When switching to a new health insurance 3 years after quitting, a blood test told them that I was still a smoker. I contested it and they revealed to me that nicotine stays in your bloodstream for up to 10 years after you quit.

I’m always surprised by the amount of people I encounter who soley use sunscreen in the summer months. No matter what time of year, UVA and UVB rays can cause damage to your skin if you are not well protected. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean your skin should brave the elementals, you’ll be sure to pay for it later.

UVA:
Can pass through window glass.
Is not affected by a change in altitude or weather.
Is present all day and every day of the year.
Penetrates deep into skin layers.
Are 5% of the sun's rays.
Is 20 times more abundant than UVB rays.
Affects long-term skin damage.

UVB:
Cannot pass through window glass.
Causes sunburn.
Causes tanning.
Helps the body with normal vitamin D production.
Varies with the season.
It is more intense in the summer than in the winter.
Varies with weather conditions.
Is more intense at midday than in the morning or late afternoon.
Is more intense at high altitudes and near the equator.
Are 0.5% of the sun's rays.
Is protected against by the SPF in sunscreens.
Is related to more than 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Is related to cataracts.

Intimately Beckham is a his and hers fragrance line that is insanely popular in the UK. Intimately Him has notes of bergamot, grapefruit zest, cardamom, violet, nutmeg, star anise, sandalwood, patchouli and amber. While Intimately Her offers notes of white flowers, bergamot, rose petals, Casablanca lily, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.

The Beckham's are going to be signing a $9 million dollar deal to launch the fragrance line here in the states and Victoria Beckham is said to have signed a $6 million dollar deal to design handbags and shoes in the US, as well.

Tarte Cosmetics, known for their fabulous Cheek Stains and double-ended lipgloss and BORBA, known for their all natural products and drinkable skin care, have come together for what is likely to become a trend among cosmetics companies this year. tarte Cosmetics has teamed up with BORBA to create their newest lip gloss set to launch in February called Inside Out. Inside Out is a vitamin-infused lipgloss that tarte calls a “double-duty” beauty product. It’s one that not only works on the outside of the body, but on the inside as well. The gloss works to soothe and hydrate your lips, while the nutraceutical blend delivers powerful skin care ingredients.

Scott Vincent Borba exclusively created the blend of vitamins for tarte’s Inside Out lipgloss. It is a combination of all natural ingredients from BORBA’s Clarifying, Age Defying and Replenishing lines. They include Acai & green tea extract which help strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin’s clarity and radiance; Grape seed extract & Vitamin C which help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin’s clarity, Vitamins A, E & K which act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow, and Lychee extract promotes long-term skin hydration and chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness. Inside Out comes in 3 colors; shimmery pale pink, hot pink and nude. Each gloss is 5.7oz. and is scented with pomegranate, the same scent as BORBA’s Clarifying Cotton Fibers.

Hungarian Apothecary Mud comes from the Heviz Lake in the Hungarian town of the same name. The mud has long been known to have healing qualities dating back to the Romans. Heviz Lake is heated by geothermal activity, this combined with water flowing from a catchment area of the surrounding hills taking with it metals and minerals along the way, makes Hungarian Apothecary Mud a highly sought after spa treatment.

Hungarian Apothecary Mud (Moor Mud) from this lake contains a complex array of nutrients, natural trace elements, minerals and humic substances easily absorbed through human skin. The benefits to the skin include toning, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits, which help to renew old or damaged skin cells. Due to the thermal activity in which it resides, the mud is a great retainer of heat, but can also be used cold.

Local New Yorker, Greg Cartwright, owner of Downtime Massage and Skin Care and a dually licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician, primarily uses Hungarian Apothecary Mud prior to and after Body Sugaring. He has a three-step process he follows prior to Body Sugaring that includes a full body application of Hungarian Apothecary Mud. This eases inflammation and any skin sensitivity prior to hair removal. It is a process he recommends a few days prior to having Body Sugaring done. Once Body Sugaring is complete, the application of Hungarian Apothecary Mud following the procedure helps calm the skin, close pores and begins the healing process immediately. The mud is left on the body for a minimum of 20 minutes.

This mud can be used in a variety of ways including as a facial mask, in a body wrap and for a mud bath. It’s been known to cure over 50 ailments. I have long been a fan of mud and have seen for myself the amazing benefits using it lends.

Be sure to watch for my Industry Experts Profile interview with Greg Cartwright next week on our main blog.

Lancome is not one to let a lifestyle trend go by. As more and more companies begin to promote organic skincare lines, Lancome has decided to take it one step further by taking part in a green initiative with Carbonfund.org. The one who initiated the effort? Lancome’s own spokesmodel, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.

Carbonfund.org is a nonprofit organization that educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Their website even has a Carbon Calculator where you can see how much CO2 you are responsible for (mine was 61.01 tons of CO2 per year--yikes). The organization gives you simple tips to reduce how much CO2 you are responsible for such as things you can do for your home, car and when traveling.

According to WWD, Lancome will participate in a climate offset program that involves a paperless press office, where pictures, releases and videos will be accessible via the Internet; retrofitting its four freestanding Lancome boutiques to reduce their carbon footprints, as well as, planting a tree for each of the first 10,000 bottles of the new Primordiale Cell Defense & Skin Perfecting Serum sold in the U.S. when it launches in June.

Tarte Cosmetics--Inside Out nutraceutical lipgloss, Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion

Unilever--Dove Pro-Age (Skin care line)

Calvin Klein--Euphoria Blossom (fragrance)

Vera Wang--Truly Pink (fragrance)

Serge Lutens—Rousse (fragrance)

Smashbox--Limited Edition Tokidoki Collection (cosmetic line)

Rimmel--Underground (cosmetic line)

M-A-C Cosmetics--Raquel Welch Beauty Icon Collection, Barbie loves MAC

Guerlain--Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist

Balmain--La Mome (fragrance)

Chanel--Les Exclusifs de Chanel (fragrance) *Available at 16 select Chanel boutiques and Bergdorf Goodman.

Do you have a beauty product launching this month? Please be sure to let us know so that it can be added to this February calendar.

I received the Korres Body Butters Trio and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With winter actually beginning to set in, my skin starts to get so dry and I know that Shea Butter is a fantastic deeply moisturizing lotion.

Korres Body Butter is mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine free. The butters glide on smooth with no greasy residue. The trio comes in Guava, a tropical sweet scent; Quince, a fruity & spicy scent; and Yoghurt, a baby pure fresh scent. If I had to pick a favorite scent of the three, it would be Yoghurt because it is so fresh out of the shower clean smelling. Besides Shea Butter, all of the butters contain Sunflower, Almond and Avocado oils, which nourish the skin and restore its elasticity and smoothness.

Some of the benefits of Shea Butter are:

* Helps cell regeneration and capillary circulation. This favors the healing of small wounds, skin cracks and crevices, and skin ulcers. In the cosmetic field, this property is an asset against skin aging. It has restructuring effects on the epidermis, also on dry and fragile hair.

* Due to it’s natural high content of fats, fatty acids, vitamins A, E and F) and other active ingredients; it’s no wonder it has been used for centuries for skin care.

* Shea is used to moisturize severely dry skin. It heals and smoothes itchy dry skin, as well. It has an anti-elastase characteristic that makes it an excellent product to prevent and reduce wrinkles. It aids in the healing of stretch marks and helps heal and restore elasticity to the skin of burn victims. Shea Butter helps control eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and skin discoloration; it helps heal bedsores on bedridden individuals.

Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner
5 out of 5 Stars
The color Elke gave me was Effet noir miroir, which is a nice kohl black. Actually I find that it also has pigments of purple in it, which is one reason I really like this eyeliner. It’s the way that it catches in the light that at different points you see black and in others you see a purple hue. I have hazel eyes and quite honestly, my eyes are rockin when I wear this eyeliner. The above color card does not do this color justice...Read more.

e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars
Last week when e.l.f. was having their lip product sale, I decided to scoop up their Hypershine Gloss. I purchased mine in Candy Apple and Flirt, but honestly, the color makes no difference as this is a practically sheer gloss. The gloss resembled a mechanical paintbrush-pen of sorts, because the gloss is up in a chamber and you need to twist the pen to bring it down to the area where it trickles the gloss down into the paint brush-like bristle tip. The pen says to twist it several times, twelve I believe, however it took a lot more twisting than that. I had to twist my gloss pen 32 times until the gloss came into the bristles...Read more.

Besame Cosmetics Delightful Rose
4 out of 5 Stars
I opened the bottle to a wonderful and very realistic fragrance of roses. It brought back memories of the very first bouquet of roses I received when I was 17 from my first “real” boyfriend. It is a very lovely and romantic scent. The lotion is very lightweight, which is not surprising, since I feel that all of Besame’s cosmetics are lightweight. This lotion doesn’t feel greasy, either...Read more.

AVON Super Full Mascara
5 out of 5 Stars
Time and again I think the most sought after makeup product is a fantastic mascara. One that does what it claims it does. Am I right? So I see the commercial for AVON’s newest product, their Super Full Mascara. I’m intrigued as it claims to use a new clean-build brush that will deliver up to 5 times fuller lashes. I’m just about out of my current mascara, so I decide I want to give this one a try. I put a call into my AVON representative, the lovely Michele Parzych, and ask if she could bring one over to me. She gladly obliges (thank you Michele) and I quickly take a peak to see exactly what a “clean-build” brush looks like...Read more.

I thought my parabens rant would be my last regarding claims and beauty scare tactics used in various parts of the press without substantiated and undeniable proof. After finding another press-covered story, by the AP no less, about the possibility of oils in bath products potentially causing breast enlargement in boys, I decided enough was enough.

The study the AP is reporting on was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study, which was looking into a condition called gynecomastia, suspected that essential oils such as lavender and tea tree oil could be the culprit for the condition. While the study could not pinpoint any estrogen-like compounds in the oils or make any solid claims to prove that without a doubt these essentials oils cause such a condition, the hormone specialist who oversaw the boys involved in the study went so far as to tell their parents, “I would not give these products to my children.”

Before I go any further, it should be noted that this was one study only done on three boys. It confuses me how this federally funded study without substantiated claims made it into the New England Journal of Medicine and then got picked up and distributed among the news media by the AP. We contacted Paula Begoun, founder of Paula's Choice and well known for several best-selling books such as The Beauty Bible and Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, for her input on this story. Paula told us,

"We looked at this story too, and your reaction was mine as well. Three kids is hardly a study by any standard and it doesn't prove a thing about those two ingredients. There can be many reasons why a male child might have enlarged breasts. This is not direct evidence and it would take hundreds of children in controlled, monitored environments to prove the possibility (soy milk would prove a bigger risk for phytoestrogens). The news media's job is to grab our attention and keep us on the same channel regardless of truth, reality, or balance."

With a very bold question mark, that is exactly what I was thinking when I read this headline in Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine. Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine only reported on the gloss and gave no opinion either way to support the claim, however, all sorts of questions popped into my head, as I am sure it would for anyone hearing that a lip gloss has been produced and can help you lose weight. The lip gloss, Promise, is made by Omega Tech Labs and claims that it’s users and dr. have confirmed weight loss through using it.

When scouring the internet for information about this product, I found out that it came out in April of 2006. I’m not sure why I haven't heard about this product before. Maybe because if it really worked it would be all over the news? I obviously can't say for sure, since I have never actually tried this product.

Promise is made of essential oils that are indeed known to be appetite suppressants and the website says that by licking your lips these oils are delivered into your blood stream. Some things that pop out at me are the lack of directional use; how many times a day do you apply it and is there such thing as lip gloss overdose? Sounds silly, but when a lip gloss is meant as a means to lose weight, you do have to wonder. Also, the website simply states, "Many people have lost weight and keep it off." How many is "many," how much weight did they lose, how long did they keep it off, how many tubes of Promise were the norm for an average weight loss, and honestly, my questions go on and on and on. The testimonies page simply shows 3 testimonies of weight loss, two of which are quite strangely, from the same town.

I don't want to be one to put down a product I have never used, so if you have used Promise, I invite you to leave your thoughts about it in our comments.

Urban Apothecary Supernatural Mineral Powder
5 out of 5 Stars
Urban Apothecary has very fast shipping; I had my products within 5 days of ordering. When I opened my package, I was very pleasantly surprised at how big the compact was. I definitely felt it was a generous size for the price ($38), bigger than the average compact offering more product for the money...Read More.

Esthetic Plus Deluxe Metal Eyelash Curlers
4 our of 5 Stars
When I received my eyelash curler, I wondered what all the fuss was about such a device. How in the world could this product really make my lashes stand out? So, very nervously, I took out my Esthetic Plus Deluxe Eyelash Curlers and put them to the test. I got as close to my lash line as I could and squeezed the handle for about 10 seconds. I found that the black padding made it easy to see where my lashes lined up...Read more.

e.l.f. Moisture Care Lip Color
4 out of 5 Stars
Back when I purchased my Hypershine Gloss from e.l.f.,I also purchased their Moisture Care Lip Color. The packaging almost appears the same; separate chamber for gloss, you have to twist the tube to make it release from the chamber and so on. What’s different about this product is that the tip is smooth and velvety and the lip color appears in tiny goblets for you to smooth across your lips. I purchased mine in Pink Lemonade...Read more.

Tarte: Jake & Samantha Lip Gloss
4 out of 5 Stars
I recently received tarte’s double ended lipgloss in Jake & Samantha (formerly Carrie and Big). The colors are dark raspberry and pale cotton candy pink. Two colors that happen to look smashingly on me (if I do say so myself). These gloss containers spare no expense and waste no space. They are literally completely filled with gloss. More bang for your buck and I have to say, I like it that way...Read more.

Josh Holloway is pure bad boy, yet immensely sexy. Being on Lost, where he is on an island surrounded by beautiful aquatic waters where his rugged good looks and bad boy charm make me tune in each week, somehow make perfect sense with his new label as spokesmodel for Davidoff’s Cool Water Cologne worldwide.

Cool Water Cologne, known as the perfume that launched a thousand other aquatic perfumes, is fresh and crisp with notes of lavender, menthe, iris and musk. It’s a fragrance I’ve loved on a man since my younger days. Holloway who prior to his acting credits, was a model, is the perfect match for this fragrance.

Get a jumpstart on your career with ground-breaking lectures and live demonstrations at the General Session and immerse yourself in continuing education presentations that include trends, wellness, technology and business topics. Learn from the best industry educators at detailed manufacturers’ workshops.

4 EASY WAYS TO REGISTER:
PHONE: 1.800.471.0229 / 305.443.2322
ONLINE: www.LNEONLINE.com
E-MAIL: registration@LNEONLINE.COM
FAX: 305.443.1664
After April 27, 2007, admission tickets are available on-location only for $75.

The $60, three-day, all-inclusive pre-registration fee grants attendees access to: • The General Session (lectures and demos) • All manufacturers’ workshops • Continuing education • Wellness Mini-Retreat • Entrance to the exhibition hall

Call 1-(800) 471-0229 for a complimentary show program and visit our website at www.LNEONLINE.com for up-to-the-minute information.

Sometimes there are products I get excited about and then there are the products I want to shout from the rooftops about. Some products I got to try out for review from Earth Therapeutics have me wanting to shout from the rooftops without a doubt.

Purifying Salt Scrub Detox Formula: Out of the three products, this is the one that I was most excited to try. I know the benefits of using Salt Scrub, especially those made with Dead Sea Salts. Earth Therapeutics Salt Scrub also contains organic Tea Tree Oil, which enhances cleansing and detoxification, and moisturizing essential oils. While the oils feel slick in the shower, once you get out and dry off, you feel nothing but baby soft skin. Using this once a week has given me fabulously soft skin, which has helped solved my winter-skin dilemma.

Soothing Leg Lotion: The scent of this lotion is heavenly. This lotion has Rosemary, Wild Mint and Aloe Vera. The consistency is almost like a silky shower gel. It spreads easily and absorbs nicely. It made my legs feel wonderfully soft and I loved the scent so much, that I put it on my hands before bed. I found the scent to be so relaxing, that it helped me fall to sleep.

Nail & Cuticle Care: If you are someone whose nails are brittle and whose cuticles crack easily, this is surely the nail conditioner for you. When I rubbed it on my nails and over my cuticles I could almost hear them saying, “ahhh,” in relief. The scent was a nice citrus scent, which I love. It contains Sesame Oil to moisturize, Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil to protect your nails from infection and an Organic Nutrient Matrix to nourish and deep condition your nail bed and cuticles.

Have you used any Earth Therapeutics products? Let me know what you thought in the comments.

French brand L’Artisan Parfumeur is venturing into skin care with an organic line based on the Himalayan nard plant Jatamansi. Jatamansi is wrapped in essences of blue chamomile, saintwood and rose, as well as, jojoba extracts and is said to be an herbal-scented luxurious fragrance to wrap your body in with this skin care line.

The Jatamansi plant is said to have healing and relaxing properties and is used in Ayurveda, an Indian practice that deals with the measures of healthy living, along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. L'Artisan Parfumeur’s Jatamansi skin care line has received organic certification by France's Eco Cert. Jatamansi consists of a Body Oil, Shower & Milk Bath and Body Cream.

Jatamansi will be launched in the US next month. It is currently available in France and the United Kingdom. An eau de toilette based on the skin care line will be available in May.

Les Exclusifs de Chanel is the new fragrance from Chanel marking key dates and places from the legendary life of Coco Chanel. As reported by Jason Jobson in my interview with him last month, Les Exclusifs will include 10 fragrances of which 4 existing fragrances will be relaunched and then there will be 6 new ones.

The 4 existing scents that will be relaunched are No. 22, Gardenia, Bois des Iles and Cuir de Russie. The six new scents will be Eau de Cologne, 31 rue Cambon, No. 18, Coromandel, Bel Respiro and 28 La Pausa. These scents range from floral to oriental to a fresh clean scent, which is sure to captivate the hearts of all perfume addicts. Each fragrance comes in identical 200ml and 100ml bottles with magnetic caps.

Les Exclusifs launched this week at 16 select Chanel boutiques and Bergdorf Goodman in New York. You can read all about Aromascope’s Blogger, Ina, first hand account of what each scent is like when she went to her local Chanel boutique to try the fragrances out for herself. From her review, it sounds like Les Exclusifs will be a success.

After months of speculation about a possible deal between fashion model Kate Moss and powerhouse beauty brand, Coty, today it was confirmed that Moss has indeed signed a long term contract to create a house of fragrances under her name. The fragrance line itself has yet to be named, but the fragrance concept is said to be a smokey rose and black undertones with a vintage English feel.

This comes at a time when celebrity fragrances have inundated the market and caused over saturation to the point of declining sales. With so many celebrity fragrances amid designer fragrance launches, retail shelves can only hold so much, making retailers pick and choose which brands will grace their stores.

While celebrity fragrances duke it out, classic and designer scents are beginning to make a comeback according to WWD. Celebrities come and go, and while JLo has proven staying power, can you imagine wearing her scent 30 years from now? It is classics like Chanel and Elizabeth Arden that have the track record of being “in” no matter which celebrity is all the rage at the time.

My skin and I have been at odds with each other for the longest time. I don’t necessarily have normal to oily skin, but dry to oily skin. It’s really been a quagmire to find a product that won’t further dry out the dry areas, but won’t also moisturize too much in the oily areas either.

Several weeks ago I began using Epionce’s Lytic Gel Cleanser and Purifying Lytic Toner, both are geared towards problem skin types. Both products are fragrance free and non-comedogenic. I was, of course, skeptical that this would be the product to reduce that shine, yet still keep the dry sections of my face from further damage.

Before I even get into how the product worked, I liked right away how the Lytic Gel Cleanser’s top had an open/close twist to it. This is perfect for when you have to travel and pack it away, so that it is not leaking all over your clothes. Furthermore, as a parent, it means little fingers cannot get a hold of it and pump away my precious product.

Lately I have become a big fan of Korres beauty products. For about a month now I have been using their facial skin care products exclusively and something my mother pointed out to me the other day, was that my skin is looking the best it has in years. It’s not that I didn’t notice this myself, I just had become used to my face being flawless without blemishes. She asked me what I had been doing differently and I had to give kudos to Korres.

What Korres says about the Wild Rose Mask:
An instant brightening and illuminating vitamin C mask. Suitable for all skin types, an instant brightening effect is immediately visible upon application. Korres' active complex targets skin discolorations and promotes cell renewal, adding brightness and radiance to the skin. Wild rose oil is a natural source of vitamin C, which helps significantly repair fine lines and imperfections.

Their Wild Rose Mask is not the type of mask that hardens or has to be peeled off. It is the same consistency of the Korres Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer I have been using and goes on smooth, leaving you with a white mask on your face. You simply leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off. You don’t feel anything while you are wearing it, it isn’t heavy or cakey, in fact it feels like you have nothing on your face. It also has a lovely light floral fragrance.

I’ve been using the mask twice per week and have found that in combination with the other Korres skin care products I have been using, which include the Olive Stone Natural Scrub, Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer, Lemon Anti-Shine Gel and Wild Rose Brightening Serum, my skin has made such a remarkable turn around. My skin seems to glow and has been blemish free for 4 weeks now, which for my skin, is quite remarkable.

A little product goes a long way and I absolutely would recommend this mask to anyone looking for radiant skin.

When it comes to makeup, I think there is one product that women can't seem to live without, yet never seem satisfied with: mascara. How many of you run out to purchase the latest and greatest mascara advertised in Glamour or that you heard about on your favorite beauty blog? I started a poll on my personal beauty blog to find out which product my readers felt they couldn't live without. I did it with a feeling that the #1 response would be mascara, and so far, my intuition has proven correct.

What is this fascination with our eyelashes that we will try each and every brand of mascara on the market and pay varying amounts of money just to achieve long, lustful looking lashes? Is it because some mascara's make promises that they don't come through on? Does the brand we have satisfy us until another promises thicker, fuller, longer lashes? I know that for myself, I am indeed a mascara junkie. I've always been one, but now being a Beauty Blogger I've gained more access to acquiring more brands. My husband saw that I had 5 mascara's on the counter the other day and pondered why just one wasn't enough. My only response was that I used a particular brand based on my mood.

When was the last time the life of your lipstick came to an end and you simply planted it’s packaging in the ground only to grow something green and beautiful? Sound a little out of the ordinary? With Cargo’s new PlantLove packaging you can now beautify yourself and the earth at the same time.

Available just this month at Sephora, Cargo Cosmetics has launched PlantLove, the first ever botanical lipstick in 100% biodegradable packaging. The lipstick tube is greenhouse gas-neutral made entirely out of corn and the box is made of recycled paper and infused with plant seeds. Simply wet the box, plant it and viola, not only did you just buy a lipstick, but you began a garden as well.

Of course their always has to be more to a product than its packaging and PlantLove’s lipsticks come in a gorgeous array of colors and the lipstick is made of meadowfoam seed oil, orchid waters, shea butter and jojoba. It is petroleum and mineral oil free. Celebrities such as, Evangeline Lily, Courteney Cox and Lindsay Lohan created five of the twelve lipstick colors.

As if a botanical lipstick and a flowerbed made from its packaging wasn’t enough, $2 from every purchase of a PlantLove lipstick is donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Now there’s a beauty product that does double duty. Have you used PlantLove? Let us know what you think of it.

Lulu Beauty Creme Rouge
4.5 out of 5 Stars

The color I received was called Pinup and in its container it appeared to be a dark color. I crossed my fingers and hoped I didn’t look like a harlot when I was done applying it. As with the Lip Lustre, the color looked lovely on me. I found that it was the kind of color you could build on...Read more.

MAXwear Eyeshadow
4 out of 5 Stars

The two eyeshadows I received from Max Factor to try was their Toast to That trio and Baja Bronze. As soon as I saw them, I knew they were going to look fabulous with my hazel eyes. Toast to That is a light creamy pink color, a darker mix of plum and brown, and a soft lavender color. It’s very pretty. Baja Bronze is a cream color, a nice brownish forest green and bronze...Read more.

Jane Iredale's Liquid Minerals
5 out of 5 Stars

When I received my Liquid Minerals (in Warm Sienna), I stared at it curiously. The bottle said it was foundation, but any mineral foundation I have ever used has been a dry powder. So I pressed the pump to find minerals encapsulated in aloe vera gel. jane’s website says that two pumps on the back of your hand are enough to cover your entire face. She recommends using a foundation brush to apply it, but since I didn’t have one handy, I just used a sponge wedge...Read more.

Esthetic Plus Tweezers
5 out of 5 Stars

Yesterday I received my Esthetic Plus tweezers and quickly ran up to the bathroom to end the misery of my overgrown brows. Elke knew what she was talking about; these tweezers rock. I received the slanted tweezer with the non-slip grip...Read more.

I came across this incredible facial mask today from Awake Cosmetics. At first glance, it appears to look like Tylenol tablets in a small box, but upon further inspection you see that it is a paper facial mask tightly compounded into small tablet-like form.

Awake Cosmetics is an innovative Japanese beauty company with a skin care and cosmetic line that incorporates natural botanicals into all of their products. All of their products are made to be worn by those even with the most sensitive of skin. The Pop-Out Mask is just one of many products that will have you saying, “Wow.”

How it works:

Place one paper tablet in the cap of Awake’s Nano Lotion White (minimizes current skin discolorations, prevents freckles and brown spots caused by ultraviolet rays, and helps brighten complexion) or Lotion Refresher (lotion and toner combined that revitalizes and firms the skin as well as increases the skin's ability to retain moisture). Fill the cap to the top with liquid. Wait for the mask to absorb all of the liquid and then gently unfold the paper mask and place over your face for 5 minutes.

All beauty mavens know that when Bobbi Brown launches a product, many times it sells out fast, as was the case with her Chocolate Palette. Below are the products that are new to her line. So if you see something you love, my advice is to scoop it up fast.

Living Beauty Palette
This is a Limited Edition makeup palette inspired by her book “Bobbi Brown Living Beauty” that recently came out on February 15th. This palette has a gorgeous array of colors for lips, cheeks and eyes that require more than a glance.

Eye Brightener
This lightweight under eye coverage gives eyes a brighter look while concealing dark circles. If you pull all nighter’s working or simply don’t get enough sleep, you can fool everyone looking like an 8 hour well rested beauty with this Eye Brightener.

Brightening Lip Gloss
These four new glosses (and who doesn’t love lip gloss?) are infused with brightening pearls giving your lips a fuller look. You can wear them alone or in combination with her Lip Colors.

Tawny Shimmer Brick & Lip Kit
Everyone always raves about Bobbi Brown’s bricks. The Tawny Shimmer brick is a mood brightening color with 4 lip colors in the palette to beat the winter blah’s while we wait for Spring to make its arrival.

Bridal Face Palette
Another Limited Edition palette by Bobbi Brown should have all brides-to-be scooping up this kit. When you want to look your best on your wedding day, why put your face into anyone else’s hands?

Exclusive Face Palette for the Pro’s
Even if you’re not a pro, this face palette will keep you busy for a long while as it contains all of the concealer and foundation shades in Bobbi’s BBU collection.

Today when I made a trip down to my local CVS, I decided to browse through their new cosmetics section and came upon Physicians Formula’s newest products. While I decided to pick up their new Conceal Rx in soft green, I looked at their CoverToxTen50 with some skepticism. CoverToxTen50 is their new face powder that they say will reduce wrinkles by 50% in 10 minutes, by 90% in 10 hours and by day 10 one should expect to see visibly smoother skin.

I’ll preface this by saying I have not tried the product nor is this a review, but I have to wonder how a face powder can reduce wrinkles in 10 minutes. I looked through the ingredients and did some research to see if there was anything miraculous involved. I decided to go to Paula Begoun’s cosmetic ingredient listing to see if I could decipher which ingredients Physician’s Formula was claiming to be the wrinkle reducer. It is the Aminobutyric Acid that is considered the GABA technology listed on the package as a time-release formula to lessen the appearance of wrinkles. According to Paula, GABA Aminobutyric Acid is an amino acid synthesized in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter inhibitor. GABA is used in cosmetics with claims of being a wrinkle reducer and is said to relax muscles, however there are no substantiated scientific studies to back this up. As Paula notes, topical application of GABA in no way has the same effect that it would internally.

I have been in love with Ojon hair products since I discovered them with the Nourishing Hair Ritual. I’m in heaven with the scent, which is a coffee, nutty type fragrance, but most importantly, I am impressed with the results that Ojon delivers. I have been using the Daily Intensive Shine Treatment for about 6 weeks now and I am wondering how I lived without it.

The Daily Intensive Shine Treatment is made of pure Ojon palm nut oil and Vitamins A & E. The Ojon oil is suspended in tiny microspheres and lay on the bottom of the jar. When using this product, if you have moved the jar around, you will want to wait until the microspheres have settled on the bottom before attempting to dispense the serum. It only takes 2-3 pumps to cover hair root to tip (depending on the length of your hair). The Ojon oil fortifies, conditions and nourishes your hair and is safe even if your hair is color-treated.

Korres Hair & Scalp Scrub
5 out of 5 Stars

Between my pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc on my skin and hair and this super cold winter weather, my scalp is so dry. This was the first time in my life that I actually had dry skin coming off my scalp into my hair. I was mortified. I tried so many deep conditioners hoping that it would resolve the issue, but unfortunately the outlook for flakeless hair was looking dim. Then I received a boxload of products from Korres, one being their Hair and Scalp Scrub, an intensive treatment with green silt and corallina oligoelements..Read More.

Love N.1 from The Soul Collection
4 out of 5 Stars

Love N.1 is a handcrafted (by Andrea herself) organic perfume available in a base of organic jojoba oil or organic grape alcohol. It is available in an eau de parfum spray, body oil and whipped body butter. The fragrance is comprised of: Cocoa Absolute, Pink Lotus, Cassia, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Tuberrose, Rose (Turkish) Vanilla and Blood Orange...Read more.

Max Factor Erase Secret Cover Up
4 out of 5 Stars

The color I tried out, was perfect for my skin color. I received Medium, which is for cool and warm tones. I fall somewhere in between. I loved that I could “erase” some of the ruddiness to my skintone and cover those red blemish scars on my chin. I also loved that the color blended with my skin, not making it obvious that I had concealer on. I’ve used concealers in the past that just looked orange, cakey and just plain obvious...Read more.

Absence by Jane Iredale
4 out of 5 Stars

Once I applied Absence prior to using my Liquid Minerals, I noticed a big difference. While Absence feels thick and balmy at first, it absorbs into your skin and becomes lightweight, just like the Liquid Minerals. I then used the Liquid Minerals over it and brushed on the Pure Pressed Powder (review to come). My face looked matte, with no shine present...Read more.

Today while attending a webinar by Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine, Peter Lamas introduced his brand, Lamas Beauty. The topic was Beauty Goes Green and Lamas Beauty definitely fits into that category as they are 100% Vegan. However, it wasn’t only his products that caught my attention, but the fact that he was prompted into action to create them through life events. It is brands like Lamas Beauty that often catch my attention because I love hearing the passion and circumstances that made the brand possible.

Peter Lamas’ passion for organic Vegan products stems from the unfortunate circumstances that resulted in cancer striking his mother, then three close family friends (all sisters), and then his client at the time, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. After learning that certain chemicals they encountered in their lifetime may have been the culprit, Lamas set out to create beauty products that were safe and led the way creating the first line of hair care products free of parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate; several products from this same hair care line is also Certified Organic. Nearly all of his skin and body care products are paraben-free and he is currently working on converting his entire line over using new ingredients that replace parabens.

Some of the products that caught my attention are:

I’m sure Simon Cowell is just wishing that Jennifer Hudson would’ve made it all the way through with American Idol now that she is has become a household name. Her celebrity status has outshone all of the Idol winners combined. Not only did her star shine in Dream Girls, soon after winning an Academy Award for her role, now Avon has scooped her up as spokesmodel for their best-selling fragrance.

Imari, a perfume that has been part of the Avon line for 20 years, is described as petal-light flowery overtones that grace an opulent oriental blend of wood, amber and vanilla. The Imari line comes in an anti-perspirant deodorant, shimmering body powder, perfumed skin softener, body lotion, bath & shower gel, Eau de Cologne spray and Eau de Parfum Cologne Spray. This August Avon will be launching Imari Seduction in the US.

Fresh is the beauty brand that was created by a husband and wife team in 1991. Their lines includes everything you need in beauty products from makeup to skincare to fragrance. I love how Fresh has taken the well-rounded approach to their products. By this I mean, they don't create a product that just sounds nice, it is a product that delivers on its promise, has packaging to match the feeling of the product and creates a multi-sensory experience that is not soon to leave your thoughts.

Here are some of the products that are new to the Fresh line, do post a comment if you have tried any of them and let us know what you thought.

Hesperides Eau de Parfum Top layer sparkles with Italian lemon, orange and grapefruit to give it a bright citrus zest. The middle layer bubbles with effervescent bergamot, lotus flower and transparent jasmine. The bottom layer warms with rhubarb, musk, and peach to enhance the sensuous yet sweet hints of this accord.

Hesperides Bath & Shower Gel and Hesperides Body Lotion Contains grapefruit extract and vitamins C and E revitalizes and gently cleanses the skin. It is enhanced with shea butter and lemon extract while capturing the citrus notes found in the Hesperides Eau de Parfum.

Hesperides Soap Pure vegetable oil base enhanced with nourishing shea butter. The soap is milled twice making it dense, luxurious and long lasting.

Many times it doesn't matter how much lotion you are slapping on your skin, if you are not exfoliating your skin on a regular basis, your skin cannot absorb all the benefits your moisturizer has to offer. This is due to your pores being clogged by the dead skin cells your skin has shed. Clogged pores makes your skin look dry and dehydrated...you know that flaky skin look? That look is never "in."

Besides the normal places to exfoliate like your face, legs and arms; have you remembered to exfoliate your neck? Exfoliating your neck is often ignored. If you exfoliate your neck, it will give you a fresher look. What about your elbows and knees? I remember all too well what it felt like to have cracked, flaky elbows. It hurt to have dry skin in this area. Knees need to look polished too. You could be wearing that killer red dress, but when your dry knees peak out, it completely takes away from how gorgeous you look. What about your feet? Have you looked at your heels lately? This is something that needs to be taken care of daily, as dry cracked heels look pretty on no one. Also, exfoliating your feet before applying sunless tanning lotion helps prevent streaking. What about your lips? You can't have a great pucker if they are scaley and peeling.

Some of the benefits of exfoliating are:

* It's ability to improve texture of your dull skin, making it more vibriant.
* Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
* Sloughs off the dead skin cells your body has shed.
* Unclogs pores.
* Keeps skin healthy, thus helping to prevent break-outs.
* Helps retain your tan when you exfoliate before slapping on the sunscreen.

You will notice a tremendous difference in your skin's softness and moisture retention if you simply follow a routine of exfoliating one to two times per week.

NYX Cosmetics Trio Eyeshadow
4 out of 5 Stars

When I had thought I had enough eyeshadows, I came across NYX Cosmetics. I don’t get too excited over color when I receive a product, but I received the Trio Eyeshadow in Pearl, Silver and Charcoal; colors I have never used on my eyes before...Read more.

Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base SPF 18
5 out of 5 Stars

The PurePressed Base is a mineral concealer, foundation, powder and sunscreen all in one. I received mine in Warm Sienna, which is a warm tone. The compact comes with a puff to apply the powder, but I have been using a facial brush and this puff interchangably...Read more.

e.l.f. Eye Makeup Remover
1 out of 5 Stars

There are so many products by e.l.f. that I love. Their Hypershine Gloss, Moisture Care Lip Color, Super Glossy Lip Shine and Nail Polish Remover Pads to name a few. However, the Eye Makeup Remover is sadly not on that list of love...Read more.

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover
2 out of 5 Stars

It basically looks very similar to the Mary Kay makeup remover I had been using previously, except that it doesn’t have the holed cap to prevent over doing it when putting some on a cotton pad. It removed my eye makeup without issue. With my previous makeup remover, I could also use it on my face, which I tried to do with this and just ended up feeling like an oil slick...Read more.

The Makeup Show is an industry trade show that promotes networking, education and hands-on workshops. Unlike other Beauty trade shows, The Makeup Show focuses soley on the cosmetic industry. Run by the Powder Group and hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion, last year’s event was a true cosmetics industry first with such industry giants as Sam Fine and Billy B. offering their expertise and well known brands such as M.A.C., Stila, Jane Iredale Cosmetics and Face Atelier educating makeup professionals on their brands. This year’s event is sure to be just as successful with 50 brands currently on the roster, including Shu Uemera, Awake Cosmetics and Becca Cosmetics, to showcase their products and promote their new lines.

This is a pro-only trade show and you must be an industry professional to be allowed entry into The Makeup Show; proof of profession and/or fashion/stylist/cosmetic student ID will be required, tickets must be purchased in advanced. My friend Elke von Freudenberg, who is a celebrity makeup artist, attended this event last year and said that the talents and education by Billy B. alone made it worth attending. Billy B. is on the schedule to once again grace those who attend with his exceptional wealth of talent.

I had never heard of Mode Cosmetics until its owners, Cristina Samuels and Jennifer Isaac, contacted me to give them a look. Mode Cosmetics is out of New York and prides themselves on using as many natural ingredients, botanicals and essential oils as possible, including organic, kosher and biodegradable ingredients. Mode doesn’t believe in being wasteful when it comes to packaging, which is one of the ways they are able to keep the price of their products very affordable.

Not only was I impressed with the high quality ingredients listed in each product, but that both women grew up immersed in their parent’s cosmetics company and took their love for beauty onto another level to create their own brand. Both Ms. Samuels and Ms. Isaac are actively involved in designing, formulating and creating their products. While their line may not be extensive at the present time, they have many new products in the works that will be added to their line up soon. It shows their integrity in painstakingly working with a product to ensure that it delivers on its promise before launching it for purchase.

I came across Cosmedicine’s self-adjusting exfoliator Medi-Morphosis on Sephora.com a few days ago. It sounded interesting, as I had never heard of a self-adjusting exfoliator before. I wasn’t sure what to expect, however I am one who firmly believes in exfoliating twice per week, so I figured I would give it a try.

I chose not to read the Cosmedicine website prior to using the product because I whole-heartedly wanted to go into the review without any preconceived notions or thoughts on the product. I simply opened the package and followed the directions. The product itself is slightly thick and pasty. It was quite different than any other exfoliator I have used before, which normally is an exfoliant suspended in a gel or lotion-like substance. Medi-Morphosis has crystals that appear invisible, as they are white in a white substance.

Upon smoothing it over my skin it felt a little abrasive at first, I would even go so far to say it felt a little sand paper-like. The directions say to continue massaging Medi-Morphosis until the crystals dissolve and you no longer feel the exfoliants. After about 1.5 minutes of massaging Medi-Morphosis on my face, I began to worry because I still felt the crystals, but feared I would come out of the shower to find my face red and irritated. I decided to stop massaging the product into my face and rinsed it off. My skin was definitely left with an ultra-clean feeling. I suffer from combination skin and the after effect definitely felt wonderful.

Feeling festive this St. Patrick’s Day and really want to get into the spirit? Here are some fabulous greens that you can wear or use to celebrate this weekend (or anytime).

Earth Therapeutics Recover-E Cucumber Eye Pads (you'll need these by the end of the day)

I realize that 95% of you reading this blog most likely cannot relate to this next post, but it is something that many women who are either currently pregnant or dealing with post-pregnancy issues can relate to. This is supposed to be the time when people tell you that you are glowing and look beautiful, but honestly, these 40 weeks are filled with obstacles that range from skincare to physical issues that contribute to an assortment of emotions thrown in for good measure. I’ll be happy when my son is born in 8 weeks, but not yet ready to deal with the uphill battle I’ll have to take on to get back to my pre-pregnancy body (make that the body I had 4 pregnancies ago). However, I am definitely ready to leave many of these other pregnancy-related woes far behind.

Dr. Allison Pontius, a plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Associates of New York can understand what mother’s go through having gone through it herself. During her pregnancy she grew more interested in providing skin care solutions to expecting women and new mothers because of the skin care woes she experienced. Some of those woes all pregnant women can relate to are:

* Acne
* Melasma/hyperpigmentation (aka pregnancy mask)
* Odd hair growth
* Rashes
* Stretch marks
* Alopecia (thinning of the hair around the hairline)

Visit our Beauty Pro Blog for all the tips offered by Dr. Pontius to tackle each of these issues and make this special time easier and less stressful.

Tips and Tricks for easy, clear skin and a bounce-back body pregnancy:

* Use all-natural, gentle skin care products during pregnancy. This is not the time to start a medical-grade skin treatment program. Remember, what goes on your skin may go into your baby so read all labels carefully and thoroughly.

* Wear SPF-30 sunblock every day!

* Treat your skin gently-no aggressive scrubs or facials now. Your skin is more sensitive and potentially more prone to damage or spider vein development.

* If you develop acne, don’t pick! You may scar and the scars are more prone to hyperpigmentation during pregnancy.

* Drink plenty of pure water every day.

* Eat a healthy diet. Although your preferences will certainly change during pregnancy try to eat plenty of whole grains, protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

* Exercise! Try to maintain a gentle exercise program throughout pregnancy. Remember you won’t be able to do everything you did pre-pregnancy, but even 2-3 days per week will make a huge difference. Non-weight bearing cardio and light weights are ideal. Pilates and yoga are also excellent ways to stay in shape. This will help with excess weight gain, help prevent stretch marks and make it easier to get back into shape after pregnancy.

Talk to your plastic surgeon or dermatologist about your skin care regimen during and after pregnancy. If you developed skin problems (like hyperpigmentation or spider veins) during pregnancy you can safely start a more aggressive treatment regimen when you finish nursing.

More info about Plastic Surgery Associates of New York:
Doctors Smith, Polynice and Pontius serve as lead plastic surgeons for Plastic Surgery Associates of New York where they strive to understand your goals, provide patients with the highest level of plastic surgery care and natural-looking results. With prime offices on the Upper East Side and in the heart of Westchester, Plastic Surgery Associates of New York serves Greater New York with over thirty years of surgical experience, unparalleled product knowledge, innovative technology and high customer care. For more information, please log onto www.plasticsurgeryassociatesny.com.

Jane Iredale PureMoist LipColour SPF 18
5 out of 5 Stars

This is lipstick my friends. Not just any lipstick, either. I’ve been wearing glosses for so long, I forgot what it was like to feel more than just pretty in a good lipstick. I received jane iredale’s PureMoist LipColour in Carmen. The color looked great, and somehow even made my lips appear fuller (are my eyes playing tricks on me?) What I loved most though, was that this lipstick was so silky smooth and never feathered...Read more.

Benefit Cosmetics Lyin Eyes
5 out of 5 Stars

It’s ok to lie sometimes, especially when it comes to your beauty secrets. This handy little pen, has now become my biggest beauty secret when I have barely had sleep and have huge dark circles under my eyes. Lyin Eyes, by Benefit Cosmetics, is a concealer that comes in only one color and goes on wet, but within seconds becomes powder dry...Read more.

NYX Tinted Lip Spa
5 out of 5 Stars

I received this little blessing a little over a week ago and have had a hard time not applying it everyday (my other lip products sometimes beg to be used). My Tinted Lip Spa came in Copacabana, which is a nice peach color. It doesn’t color your lips like gloss or lipstick, it just gives your lips a slight hint of color with a little shine while moisturizing your lips at the same time...Read more.

Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture Mascara
5 out of 5 Stars

This mascara was chosen to be the exclusive mascara used at Milan’s Fashion Week, so it definitely had some expectations to live up to. This mascara uses the patent-pending iFX brush technology that the other Lash Perfection mascara’s use. Unlike the typical mascara brush, the iFX brush is like a modeled plastic comb with more space, called micro-channels, to give you more coverage without the clumps...Read more.

I don’t know about you, but I love watching America’s Next Top Model just for Jay Manuel. You also would be hard pressed to find me skipping past E! when he is a guest on any of their Red Carpet shows. Jay Manuel is also the star of the Style Network’s Style Her Famous series and has his own line of cosmetics, Manual Override. Is there anything this top sought after makeup artist can’t do?

The thing you recognize most about Jay Manuel is his talent. His work can be seen in top fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and In Style and through the faces of Tyra Banks, Iman and Jennifer Lopez. The Jay Manuel “look” is flawless, chic and distinctive. Whenever I see him, I can honestly say that he is the one guy that can pull off wearing makeup simply because he looks utterly gorgeous without a single imperfection; he just displays a clean canvas look that every woman desires for her own complexion.

Jay’s new cosmetics line is also just as innovative as his skills as a makeup artist. Manual Override doesn’t offer eye shadows, blushes or foundations to replace what you currently use, but instead he offers products to compliment and enhance the look of the various products you love and use each day. One thing that stands out among his products is the intention to ensure that these products protect your face by laying atop the skin’s surface and not settling into your fine lines for a more perfected appearance and longer wear.

We are all quite familiar with Borba, the leader in drinkable skin care with their fabulous aqua-less crystalline and skin balancing waters that focuses on beauty from the inside out. Recently it was leaked that Danone would be launching Essensis their “beauty yogurt” to promote healthier skin in a select few European countries. Then we have Nestle and L’Oreal’s joint venture of Inneov, nutritional supplements or “beauty pills” aimed at skin and hair nutrition. It appears that NutriCosmetics will now become a niche in the beauty industry.

It’s now being rumored that Coca Cola (with the help of L'Oreal) will also be stepping into the beauty ring with a new tea based drinkable skin care line. Snake Oil? They recently have trademarked the name “Lumae” with the intention to produce a product that will allegedly be added to their 2008 product lineup as a way for women to take better care of their skin. Lumae won’t be something you will find on your supermarket shelves, but one that will call itself home in the beauty section of your local department store like Sak’s Fifth Avenue. Considering that the product will only be coming out a year from now, the success or failure this year of the drinkable skin care niche may be a predetermining factor of whether or not their product will be a success.

Sniffapalooza is an event-based group of fragrance aficionados that originated in New York City and now unites perfume passionatas from around the world. What started as a small group of women getting together to shop and share their enthusiasm for fragrance, has grown into a phenomenon that has attained national recognition through CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, Women's Wear Daily, and WWD BeautyBiz.

Sniffapalooza is the creation of Karen Dubin, and now with the collaboration of Karen Adams, the event is reaching new proportions. Sniffapalooza occurs several times a year and draws hundreds of kindred spirits, both men and women, and spans an age range of 16 to 76. Members meet perfumers, representatives from fragrance houses, fragrance journalists and authors, they preview new launches, are privy to special motion picture screenings, and participate in fragrance workshops.

Past events have been held at Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, Henri Bendel, Takashimaya, L'Artisan Perfumeur, Lafco NY, Le Labo, Bond No. 9, and Aedes de Venustas. In February 2007, Ron Robinson at Apothia of Fred Segal/Melrose hosted Sniffapalooza for its West Coast Premiere. Sniffapalooza in NYC on March 31st/April 1st will have its biggest attendance yet with 125 fragrances lovers taking part. This event is currently sold out, but you can check out their website for details on future events.

I recently got to speak more in depth with Karen Adams regarding this event that I know many of my fellow Beauty Bloggers rave about...

 "Drop-Dead Gorgeous Guts" I can’t say that I have ever thought of a fiber laxative as a beauty product or that it even garnered a thought of sex appeal. However, this is the way that Metamucil is repositioning itself to capture the attention of divas both young and old. The train of thought is that cosmetics beautify our outside while a fiber laxative can beautify our insides.

While the fiber market’s target age range is those 65 and older, Metamucil is taking a leap and targeting women in their mid-30’s who are health and wellness conscious. They’ve changed the packaging to pink and ramped up their ads with younger looking attractive models to promote the product as a “colon cosmetic” and a fashionable way to “beautify your insides.”

Maybe their repositioning is not that far off with “beauty foods” and “beauty pills” hitting the market. I can’t say their new ad campaign would compel me to go out and buy some Metamucil as part of my beauty regiment, but I guess only time will tell if the campaign is working if we suddenly start seeing more 30 and 40 year olds in line at the supermarket check out with some Metamucil next to their shower gel and lipstick.

What are your thoughts on Metamucil targeting beauty addicts?

Ramy Rise and Shine Plumping Lip Gloss
1 out of 5 Stars

I’m not sure what to think about this lip plumper. When I use a plumper, I expect to see immediate results. Would you agree? The website says that this plumper works without the burning and tingling effects, so I knew not to expect this. However, I’m not sure exactly how it is supposed to cause any plumping action without “irritating” your lips into puffing up...Read more.

Lumene Beauti-full Plumping Lipshine
1 out of 5 Stars

Lumene Beauti-full Plumping Lipshine was the first lip plumper I tested. I chose it to be the first because it looked more like lipstick than gloss. Plus the color, Smiling, was really pretty. What they say: 3D plumping effect: Maxi-lips ingredient helps to stimulate collagen, which makes your lips look fuller. Unique blend of light reflecting, wet shine pearls intensify the plumping effect...Read more.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips
2 out of 5 Stars

There was definitely high shine with this plumping gloss. I immediately began to feel that “burning” sensation everyone has been telling me about. The gloss was thin and I made sure to apply the same amount of gloss to both lips. After about 10 minutes and the burning sensation making me feel like I had puffer lips, I ran excitedly to the bathroom to get a look in the mirror. Alas, they looked exactly the same as when I applied the plumping gloss...Read more.

DuWop Venom Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars

The color I used was Wisteria, which is amazingly gorgeous and a color I have deeply fallen in love with. The gloss has a high shine that just lights up my entire face when I wear it. I began to feel the burning sensation within a minute of applying the gloss and my lips did appear to be slightly plumper than they were prior...Read more.

What ISO says about this product:

Benefits:

* Controls frizz and enables smooth combing.

* Offers long-lasting straightening.

* Gives hair a sleek finish.

Ingredients:

* ISOamine and Guar Gum: Soften internal bonds of hair for smoother combing and long-lasting straightening.

* Amino Silicone: Smoothes hair and provides long-lasting conditioning without buildup.

* Wheat Protein: Penetrates the cuticle and helps improve the condition and styling potential of hair. * Panthenol (Vitamin B): Moisturizes and nourishes the hair.

* Humectants: Balance the moisture levels in the hair.

Who Should Use: 

Besides Sanjaya, anyone with frizzy hair who has had trouble with other frizz control products.

What I thought:

While the directions say to use a generous amount, I found that I really had to use only a dime-sized amount for my hair that’s length goes to about the center of my back. ISO’s Tamer Foam is a foam gel combination, so when dispensing it some of the product will appear fluffy like a mousse with a slight liquid appearance. The Tamer Foam is lightly fragranced, but nothing that you notice once you’ve dried your hair.

From Hispanic PR Wire: Almonds have long been lauded for their beauty benefits. From ancient Egypt to the Victorian Age to modern times, they’re a popular ingredient in lotions and potions that cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and nourish.

Lately the approach to healthy skin is changing fundamentally. Skincare experts emphasize that not only topical applications such as cleansers and lotions, but also dietary choices can affect the skin’s moisture level, youthful appearance and general health. This is good news for the multi-tasking almond which is a common ingredient in some of today’s most popular skin-care products and an ever-increasingly popular snack for women seeking healthy alternatives.

“With new beauty products as well as new research about certain foods, consumers are hearing a lot about treating beauty both inside and out,” says Connie Gutterson, PhD, RD, author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Sonoma Diet (Meredith, 2005). “Research indicates natural antioxidants from foods may help the skin, working from the inside. At the same time, more beauty products are featuring natural, nutritious foods like almonds and berries to apply to the skin.”

Exfoliation Gone Nutty – The granular texture of finely ground almonds or almond flour can be used as a natural, gentle way to exfoliate, rubbing away dead skin cells and freshening the complexion. Try making a homemade exfoliating scrub by combining 1 tablespoon almond flour or meal, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, stirring into a paste. Rub gently on the face and rinse. Exfoliation is ideal just one to two times per week; otherwise, it may lead to irritation or flaky skin. Find almond flour in some supermarkets, or make it by processing blanched whole or slivered almonds in small batches in a clean coffee grinder or blender, just until finely ground.

Cracking into Moisture – Victorian women were right to love the oil of almonds. It contains linoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps soften and moisturize the skin. After exfoliating, it’s the perfect time to moisturize. Look for almond oil in many high-end and everyday moisturizing lotions, creams, balms and masks.

We're always looking for a way to make our lip color last the entire day, to make our lips look fuller without the burning and stinging of lip plumpers or how to get that great matte look. I was able to tap into the expertise of my Makeup Artist friend Elke von Freudenberg for a few tricks on just how to accomplish the above.

A way to keep lipstick on all day is to avoid lipstick all together. First, apply a "lip-friendly" colored eye shadow on dry lips with an flat eye shadow brush.

Next apply your favorite lip gloss in clear or a colored gloss to create a custom color. The eye shadow powder gives the gloss something to stick too and lasts hours longer than gloss by itself.

The Finished Lip

For a trick that works just as well in real life as it does in front of the camera, try this tip to make small lips appear fuller. Apply a concealer pencil, or concealer with a brush around the outside line of the lip and blend well. The lightness makes lips appear fuller and more prominent.

Need to change a lipstick or gloss fast? Take a Q-tip spritzed with water or toner and roll off the lipstick. Make sure you roll from the outside corners of the mouth inwards. This trick works great when lipstick color changes must be done fast.

To create the perfect lip line, take concealer on a pointed concealer brush and lightly trace around the lip after you've applied lipstick. This creates a perfect line to the lipstick and gives a sharper edge.

The matte lip is back, but with a softer feel. To create this look easily, apply a favorite lip color. Separate a Kleenex so it's 1-ply and place over the lips. With a small eye shadow or fluff brush, lightly apply a loose neutral or translucent powder through the Kleenex. The right amount of powder will go through to create a soft matte mouth without the dry look and feel.

Finished Matte Lip

Besame Cosmetics Enriched Lip Glaze
4 out of 5 Stars

My previous encounter with Besame Cosmetics Enriched Lip Glaze was a positive one; this time is no different. I was in love with their Chocolate Lip Glaze when it was just a small sample and recently I was sent Cotton Candy and Shimmer Peach...Read more.

Benefit Cosmetics Moon Beam
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Moon Beam is a highlighter that is a natural golden pink. While the site says it works best on olive, tan and darker skin tones, it made my pale complexion shimmer. I made X's at the apple of each cheek as the box recommended and then blended with my finger tips. I believe this is a product you can wear all over your face, but since I am shiny to begin with, I decided I would use other products to tone down the shine on most of my face, but leave Moon Beam on my cheeks...Read more.

Booty Parlor I'm So Sexy Lip Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars

Loved the color of both of these glosses. The pink is really subtle with such a super fabulous shine. The peppermint reminds me of candy canes. The Cinnamon Shine was red and looked great alone and I even put it over my Jane Iredale lipstick, which really gave it a whole new dimension...Read more.

Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner
5 out of 5 Stars

I recieved her Cream to Powder Eyeliner in Black Plus, which is quite nice. It has 3 colors: Black, a greyish blue and a slate color. Application is super easy, as you don't have to wet your brush to apply them. Actually, I sometimes even use my finger to give my eyes that smokey look to them. The cream glides on smooth and quickly turns to powder...Read more.

Reviews tend to sway me when thinking about purchasing a product, most especially when it comes to a beauty product. I recently saw an ad for Blinc’s Kiss Me Mascara in the quarterly beauty magazine, New Beauty. The advertisement caught my attention when it boasted being a non-traditional mascara in that the formula actually encapsulates your lashes in tubes. Tubes? I found it intriguing and decided to take a look through the blogosphere to figure out if this was a product that really worked and the science behind it.

My first stop was at TeamSugar. When the words, “Holy grail of mascara” somehow find their way into a review, you pay attention. The TeamSugar reviewer loved this product and highly recommended it. Beauty & Fashion Tech gave it a try, and while she loved its ease of use for a contact lense wearer like herself, she wasn’t so enamored with the clumping. Best Beauty Answers loved it and proclaims boldly, “It works!” I also went to Amazon.com to check out the reviews for this product and it gets 4.5 out of 5 stars. The majority of reviews (there were 17) raved about this product, but the two things reviewers “complained” about was lack of volume and that if you weren’t quick to comb out your lashes the mascara would clump.

Of course, my last stop was at the Beauty Brains, who are a pair of cosmetic chemists that explained exactly how this product worked:

Unlike most mascaras which are made with waxes, Blinc’s Kiss Me is formulated with acrylate polymers. These polymers are similar to the ones used in hairsprays and they’re what give Kiss Me its ability to form tiny tubes.”

Over the last several months, I’ve noticed more and more beauty brands announcing that they are going on tour. Of course, what better way to capture a beauty addicts attention than to lure her in with a beauty tour. I’m sure anyone who has a favorite beauty brand or just loves all beauty products in general will admit to the fun of indulging in some pampering while socializing with others who share their same love for beauty products.

Since last year we’ve seen several beauty tours make their way across the US, most only going to major cities. Last October CoverGirl promoted their new LashExact mascara by traveling to 8 US locations and giving away the mascara for free when guests turned in their department store brand. They traveled in a hard to miss purple van to generate the buzz as they traveled.

Last month Laura Geller didn’t just hold a tour, she had a cruise. On March 25th fans of Laura Geller booked their 7-night cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines and headed to the Bahamas. While on the cruise Ms. Geller gave makeup seminars. What a great way to relax while traveling with your favorite beauty brand and learning directly from the owner herself? Beginning last month and continuing into this month the Style Network has Garnier and Maybelline hitching a ride on their tour bus as they travel the country to give makeovers and promote the charity Dress for Success. Then of course, there is the BE Fan Tour traveling the country. Bare Escentuals has a cult-like following that has made them very successful and already their upcoming tour date in Chicago is sold out.

It’s obvious that the brands listed above understand that interacting with their consumers on their home turf promotes a relationship that is incapable of being established just from making a purchase at the store. Not only will it create loyalty and a buzz, but it will get the brand’s fan’s talking and doing much of the promoting for them. A happy customer, after all, is your best advertisement.

What do you think? Are beauty tours something we will see more of this year?

My combination skin drives me insane sometimes with the shine being the bain of my existance. I am always on the hunt for a product that actually works, as I have tried many that don't live up to their claims. A friend recently told me about Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion that I am thinking of trying. Paula's Choice is of course the brand by Paula Begoun, author of those widely popular beauty books--The Beauty Bible and Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me to name a few.

This lotion is said to be good for combination skin and also offers an SPF of 15 and antioxidants for skin care. From the website, Paula describes the benefits of this product:

* Leaves a weightless, shine-free finish and contains absorbent ingredients to help keep oily areas matte and looking fresh for hours

* Contains efficacious, potent antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients to balance and optimize normal to oily and combination skin

* Perfect to wear under foundation or powder

* Provides excellent daily sun protection

* 100% fragrance- and colorant-free

Instead of my normal routine of applying a moisturizer then laying on a shine control product, I would love to be able to just kill two birds with one stone by using a product that is a moisturizer and a mattifier in one. Most especially with warmer weather on the way, there is only so many different products I want to be putting on my face at once.

Have you used this product? Let me know what you thought of it.

Benefit Cosmetics Dr. Feelgood
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Back in December I received Benefit Cosmetics’ Dr. Feelgood. Dr. Feelgood is an invisible balm meant to matte the skin by absorbing excess oil. I tried this product by applying it two different ways; over my makeup and under my makeup. The product was much smaller than I thought it would be, however, you don’t need very much at all for coverage...Read more.

Korres Jasmin Eye Makeup Remover
5 out of 5 Stars

I think I have found the Holy Grail of makeup removers. I really hadn’t ventured on past my MK Oil-free Makeup remover and Neutrogena Oil-free makeup remover. I had given up hope that there really was a true non-greasy feeling makeup remover out there. They may be oil-free, but I hate the aloe vera “oil slick” feeling after using them. So I was sent Korres Jasmine Eye Makeup Remover and told it was oil-free. I didn’t have high hopes for it if I am being honest, but willing to to give it a shot...Read more.

theBalm Plump Your Pucker
1 out of 5 Stars

Are all lip plumpers made equal? Do they all contain this elusive “Maxi-Lip” technology? If this is the case–they need to go back to the drawing board and re-formulate. theBalm Plump your pucker was next on my list of lip plumpers to try out. Bing my Cherry is a yummy scented Cherry colored gloss that also tastes like cherry. I noticed that Plump your pucker brought on that tingly burning sensation within a few seconds of application...Read more.

NYX Cream Rouge and Powder Blush
4 out of 5 Stars

I received both NYX Cosmetic’s Cream Rouge and Powder Blush recently. The Cream Rouge came in that bright pink color shone here. I was a little nervous about using a color that looked like hot pink. However, I found that as I worked the color in and blended it with my other makeup, it seemed to appear more of a “rosy glow” type color than “I am stuck in the 80’s” type color. I didn’t really need much product at all to highlight the apples of my cheeks. I applied it using a wedge sponge because I really didn’t want bright pink fingertips...Read more.

I’ve only recently begun using Kiss My Face products and have been loving the Tinted Moisturizer and 3 Way Color. Among the many other Kiss My Face products I have received lately, the Tighten Up Moisturizer tops my list for one of the best organic body moisturizers out there.

The Tighten Up Moisturizer’s fragrance is a blend of grapefruit, lime and chamomile. I’ve used products scented like grapefruit and chamomile, but never lime and was unsure if I would like a lime-scented product. I was pleasantly surprised, as the scent had me begging Mother Nature for springtime weather. It’s a nice refreshing scent making you wish you could throw on a fabulous Old Navy dress showing off your well-hydrated healthy skin.

Not only do the certified organic herbs and essential oils make your skin so super soft, the Tighten Up Moisturizer also uses natural proteins, wheat extracts and Ayurvedic Botanical "Centella Asiatica" to naturally firm your skin. I also loved that if I skipped a day of using moisturizer for one reason or another, that my skin didn’t just revert back to being dry and itchy. The lotion seemed to keep my skin hydrated for longer than 24 hours, which tells me that the organic ingredients are really working their magic to keep my skin both looking and feeling healthy. At only $10 for an 11oz. bottle, this lotion is worth every penny.

For more information on Kiss My Face products please contact:

Beauty PR Division: Lance at piercemattie dot com

Women’s Wear Daily had an article today that brought attention to one of the newest beauty trends going on that involves pomegranate. Last year we began to see the trend when it came to food products, but now it has made the cross over to skin care and cosmetics as well.

Studies have shown pomegranates to have powerful antioxidant properties. These properties are not only beneficial to our health when we eat the fruit or when it is an ingredient in a food product, but it is also beneficial in topical skin care. Pomegranates are said to promote the regeneration of cells in the two most important layers of healthy skin, the epidermis and dermis. One of my favorite facial moisturizers is Korres Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer. It’s perfect for my combination skin and also the elasticity as I get older. (The scent is pretty intoxicating as well.)

One of the cosmetic lines that I use is Jane Iredale’s, which is mineral makeup with skin care benefits. Most of Jane Iredale’s products contain pomegranate extract. As Jane notes on her website:

"According to researchers from the University of Wisconsin, it’s also a promising agent against skin cancer. Researchers assessed the effect of skin application of pomegranate extract on induced skin tumors. The skin pretreated with pomegranate extract showed substantially reduced tumor incidence.”

Jane Iredale’s Pom Mist is a facial spritzer that contains pomegranate extract to keep your skin healthy and as a base to set her mineral powders. Some of her other products that contain pomegranate extract are her Matte Loose Finish Powder, Pure Gloss, eye shadows and so on. You can check out her website and type in “pomegranate extract” to pull up the complete listing of products that contain this ingredient.

The pomegranate bandwagon is definitely one trend that is advantageous to get in on. With nothing but health benefits for our skin, it’s one ingredient that I don’t mind seeing so many brands adding to their beauty products.

Tarte Cosmetics Cheek Stain
5 out of 5 Stars

Tarte sent me flush and tipsy. Flush is said to be that “just in from the cold/cozying up by the fire” type color and tipsy, well described to be the color you get when you’ve have one too many. I first looked at flush and thought, “Yikes, red and purple sort of!” I was afraid of this plumb red color. As we get deeper into the winter, my skin just seems to get paler and paler. I thought it would be too dark/bright, but I was wrong...Read more.

Tarte Cosmetics Inside Out Nutraceutical Lip Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars

Back in January I was sent Inside Out, which was collaborated on with tarte Cosmetics and Borba. You can click back to the press release to hear all about the benefits of this lip gloss. Have I ever used a nutraceutical lip gloss before? No. So I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I’ve also never used Borba’s products before, so again, not sure if the product would live up to its claims...Read more.

Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
4 out of 5 Stars

If there is one thing I think rocks about tarte, it has got to be their packaging. This mascara comes in a purple leather top and bottom. It really makes you feel like you are about to indulge in something special. Their mascara uses the “old school” wand for application, but that was just fine by me although I am totally in love with the new modable plastic wands now on the market by other brands...Read more.

Tarte Cosmetics Mineral Powder Bronzer
4 out of 5 Stars

I received Hotel Heiress and was a little nervous that it would be too dark for my pale skin, however, it was the perfect pick me up to bring me from porcelin doll to a living and breathing person...Read more.

So you shampoo your hair and wish to keep that fresh smelling fragrance all day long. Most of us would love to have fragrance for our hair, but without drying it out or weighing it down. Elizabeth Pyshnov, owner and creative mind behind Pure & Petal hair fragrances, felt the same way and decided to do something about it.

Pure & Petal, located in Canada, is the one online store that women seeking gloriously smelling hair can flock to without the worries that they are adding product to their hair that will alter their hairstyle, weigh it down or frizz it out with any drying alcohols. This also means that there is no alcohol-related smell, as you would get with a typical perfume. The Pure & Petal hair fragrances contain silk protein, Vitamin B5 and are silicone-free and alcohol-free.

Having tried this product myself when the company first launched in November of last year, I can tell you that I absolutely think Elizabeth’s product is genius. The mist itself is very light and the scent is not overpowering. You spray it on about 8 inches away from your head once you are done drying and styling your hair. The fragrance lasted most of the day and had absolutely no negative effects on the condition of my hair.

Pure & Petal offers 4 fragrances: Linden Blossom, Sublime Citrus, Summer Passion and Heavenly Clean. My favorite is Linden Blossom, which is a combination of the linden blossom and grapefruit. Heavenly Clean comes in second, literally smelling like I just washed my hair.

At the beginning of this month, Pure & Petal began selling its hair fragrances at retail outlets in Canada. Soon we will be able to find them at retailers here in the states. For now, we can still order them online, and believe me, I’m sure you will love this product as much as I do.

For those of you who absolutely adore the extremely talented Billy B., you will be as excited as I am to hear that he got the greenlight for a pilot for his own show on Bravo! Read on...

From Bravo's Press Room:

Bravo announced the development deal for "The Beauty Foundation," a potential docu-drama series following Billy Brasfield (known as Billy B. in the fashion industry), a world-renowned make-up artist leading a jet-set lifestyle tending to clients around the globe. When he isn't charging $5,000 to prepare a celebrity for a photo shoot, he's down south trying to rebuild his tiny Mississippi hometown. The clash between the high-gloss make-up artist lifestyle and the grit of restoration projects provides a fascinating look at this unique individual and the many challenges he faces moving between two different worlds.

Spring looks call for a bright, fresh face inspired by pretty pink shades that accentuate clean, healthy skin. A healthy flush with plenty of highlighting is what ruled the runway for Spring 2007. Jane Iredale epitomizes this radiant look with the new Power of Pink Collection.

The Power of Pink Collection consists of Think Pink PurePressed Triple Eye Shadow, which contains a light baby-pink base, a vivid pink shade for definition and a deep raspberry accent color. I have hazel eyes and these pink shades really made my eye color pop. The pink shades really blend so well together and are just the right highlight to an overall polished look.

Kirsten PureMoist LipColour and Cotton Candy PureGloss are also part of the collection. Kirsten, which is a berry pink color, was inspired by Kirsten Dunst of Spiderman and Marie Antoinette fame. Like all of the PureMoist LipColours, Kristen contains no chemical preservatives or synthetic dyes. The rich color comes strictly from iron oxides and carmine. It also has an SPF of 18 with edible zinc oxide. I think the PureMoist LipColours are fabulous and you can see my previous review of them here.

The Cotton Candy PureGloss is a flirty pink formulated in a base of organic vegetable oils, has a tingly mint flavor and contains grape see and pomegranate extracts to keep lips moisturized, protected and nourished. I love the scent and shimmer to this gloss, which is also perfect to add over your lipstick to give it a little more oomph.

Lastly, the Power of Pink Collection contains Jane Iredale’s Lid Primer. This Lid Primer is a lemon yellow, which is great at balancing out the redness on our eyelids that many of us contend with. The Lid Primer contains hydrated silica to control oil therefore preventing creasing with your shadow.

Jane Iredale Media Contact:
Beauty PR Division: Lauren at piercemattie dot com

A bad hair day can ruin anyone’s look and can even make you left feeling like you need to wear a bag over your head. It is so important to pamper your hair to keep it in top shape, preventing bad hair days from ever heading your way.

If your scalp tends to dry, make sure to treat it right with a good scrub. Don’t go overboard, you only need to use a scrub once every 10 days. I recommend Korres Green Silt & Corallina Oligoelements Hair & Scalp Scrub. Its not harsh or abrasive the way some body scrubs can be, but leaves you without that embarrassing dry skin flaking off into your hair.

I can never bypass a great hair mask. I love using Ojon’s Restorative Hair Treatment, which uses 100% natural Ojon palm nut oil. If your hair is really is bad shape, it’s a hair mask that can be left on overnight.

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, I’m again extremely partial to Ojon. It’s a combination of its wonderfully nutty fragrance and how soft and manageable it makes my hair. I’ve used their Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner that is part of their 5-Piece Nurturing Hair Ritual Kit and find it amazing (even my husband loves to use it).

If you don’t like nutty fragrances, you may then like Kiss My Face’s Miss Treated Shampoo & Conditioner. I also use this shampoo/conditioner set and find I reach for it when I am in need of some aromatherapy. The Miss Treated Shampoo and Conditioner have a Eucalyptus and Peppermint fragrance that is great for stress release, but also to boost your mood. It’s an organic product that also uses essential oils to moisturize your scalp and is great for chemically treated and overstressed hair.

Elemis Japanese Camilla Oil
4 out of 5 Stars

The Camillia Oil had no real scent to it, which was fine with me as it didn't interfere with the scents of the other lotions I was wearing on the rest of my body. The oil is nice and thick, but doesn't leave a greasy residue on your skin. It did on the palms of my hands, but it was super easy to wash right off...Read more.

iS Clinical Youth Complex
3 out of 5 Stars

I can't say I saw any immediate results. I applied the Youth Complex to the wrinkles under my eyes, to my crow's feet, my forehead and between my eyebrows. Things appeared to look the same within a few hours of checking the mirror as they did when I applied the cream. By day two I did notice that the wrinkles under my eyes were appearing to soften a bit...Read more.

Sunsilk Beyond Brunette Shampoo, Conditioner and Color Boost
4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars

I've been using Sunsilk's Beyond Brunette Shampoo, Conditioner and Color Boost for about 4 weeks now. I was a little skeptical that I would see a difference in my hair since this isn't hair color and also because I recall a fellow beauty blogger (The Beauty Brains) writing a post a while back that there was nothing new or different in Sunsilk's products then there had been previously. However, my hair color was at the end of of its 6 weeks cycle and it was really beginning to dull and fade. I figured this would really put the new Sunsilk products to the test...Read more.

Robert Craig Hair Coloring Kit
5 out of 5 Stars

If you told me that I could color my hair without any mess and that the dye would be completely void of scent, I wouldn't believe you. And I honestly didn't when I was first approached about Robert Craig Hair Color. I had never heard of it and have used other hair dyes in the past that have said it was without scent, but then couldn't live up to the claims...Read more.

Dr. Stuart Kaplan, one of the nation's leading dermatologists and the creative mind behind the skincare line KaplanMD, recently wrote an article to distinguish the difference between Botox, a muscle relaxer, and dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane. If you are not aware of the difference and how each product works, the article below is a good start to understand the difference between the two.

Botox vs. Fillers: How To Choose The Best One For You
By Stuart H. Kaplan, M.D. Beverly Hills Dermatologist

It is important to understand the difference between Botox, a muscle relaxer, and Juvederm, Restylane, Collagen, etc. which are fillers. The easiest way to visualize the difference is to think of a crease as a valley between two mountains. Botox prevents the mountains from being pushed together, and fillers fill in the valley.

Before Botox®Cosmetic

After Botox®Cosmetic

Injectable Wrinkle Fillers: The differences between fillers has to do with thickness and longevity. In general, the thicker the filler, the better it will fill creases, but the greater the chance of possible bumps. Bumps are more likely in thinner skin such as the lower eyelids, and crows feet. Zyderm (a type of Collagen), and Restylane Fine Line are the least thick and can be used around the eyes, but they are also the shortest lasting. Juvederm Ultra Plus is one of the longer lasting hyaluronic acid fillers. It can be used for deeper creases. Juvederm Ultra Plus can last between 3 and 6 months.

Fillers can also be used to improve or enhance facial structures such as:

* Filling in acne scars
* Enhancing cheek bones to make them fuller and more defined
* Enlarging lips for a fuller, softer pout
* Correcting lip deformities or asymmetry
* Non-surgical nose-job to fill in dips and valleys in the nose bridge
* Filling in hollows under the eyes that contribute to dark circles

Before Restylane Injection

After Restylane Injection

Other new trends include:

* Nipple enhancement
* Vaginal rejuvenation
* Injecting into the soles of the feet to make wearing high heeled shoes more comfortable

Self Magazine recently asked readers to test over a thousand new products, in all prices ranges, and rate the best of the best. The products were broken down into categories of Face, Body, Makeup, Hair and Sun. Readers voted for products that ranged from what you would find at your local drugstore to niche brands. I saw many brands that I love on the list, but was most excited to see Earth Therapeutics and Skingenic make the cut as well.

Earth Therapeutics won in the Body category with their Intensive Heel Repair. The Intensive Heel Repair is specially formulated to moisturize, soothe, and protect dry, cracked and callused heels. It contains Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, Aloe Vera, Australian Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint and Cocoa Butter to soothe, protect and heal even the roughest feet. While I haven’t used this product myself, I have used other products by Earth Therapeutics that I absolutely love; you can see their review here.

Skingenic won in the Face category with their Regenerating Moisturizer. I have this moisturizer in my cabinet myself, so I can attest to the fact that it is an amazing moisturizer. It contains Idebenone, the most powerful anti-oxidant available. This ingredient is renowned for combating overexposed and aging skin. When combined with complementary ingredients, such as DMAE, Hyaluronic Acid and Copper Peptides, this creme re-energizes the skin, resulting in a firmer, suppler, and healthier look.

Have you used either of these products? What did you think?

Media Contact: Beauty PR Division
Skingenic: Maryam at piercemattie dot com
Earth Therapeutics: Lauren at piercemattie dot com

NYX Cosmetics is launching a new mineral compact powder in May, Black Label Compact, available in 20 shades. The new Black Label Compact is a sunscreen, powder, foundation, and concealer all in one that offers a shine free, flawless finish. It contains no chemicals or preservatives so it is perfect for sensitive and acne prone skin.

Another NYX product soon to launch is the Black Label Lipstick. This lipstick is super creamy, has a velvety texture, and is silky smooth and moisturizing. It will be available in 144 fabulous colors, which means you can have your lips covered one color a day for almost 5 months.

I'm sure the new Black Label line will be just as fabulous as NYX Cosmetic's other products, as I am an absolute fan of their high quality, yet affordable prices. NYX Cosmetics are available at Ulta, Duane Reade, Longs Drugs, beauty supply stores nationwide, and www.NYXCosmetics.com.

Here are links to some of my reviews on different NYX Cosmetic's products:

Super Volume Lip Plumper
Trio Eyeshadow
Cream Rouge & Powder Blush
Tinted Lip Spa

Media Contact:
Beauty PR Division: Maryam at piercemattie dot com

Avon sure is doing some major collaborations for its brand these days. While Avon is a MLM and direct sales company, those who turn their nose up at such companies really need to look beyond stereotypes and admire Avon for their ability to be innovative. And honestly, I think many other niche beauty direct sales companies should pay attention to Avon and follow suit.

From the Avon News Room:

Avon Products, Inc. today announced a collaboration with French couture fashion designer Christian Lacroix and with Interparfums, its worldwide fragrance licensee, to create two signature fragrances, Christian Lacroix Rouge (for women) and Christian Lacroix Noir (for men), bringing Avon consumers worldwide the opportunity to experience Christian Lacroix through a fragrance that reflects the designer's originality, creativity, sophistication and elegance. Christian Lacroix Rouge and Noir will launch globally in 2007, debuting in the UK in September. In the US, Christian Lacroix Rouge will launch in November 2007, followed by Christian Lacroix Noir in February 2008.

Avon has been heightening their premium fragrance offerings over the last year with select partnerships and alliances. This exclusive collaboration with Christian Lacroix gives Avon the extraordinary opportunity to create elite designer fragrances for its fragrance portfolio, and bring a premium range of fragrances imbued with high fashion to the Avon consumer.

Christian Lacroix Rouge and Christian Lacroix Noir, both created by the perfumers at IFF, are striking, audacious and provocative, reflecting Christian Lacroix's original haute design sensibility. Christian Lacroix Rouge is a strikingly bold floral chypre with exuberant top notes of wild red peony blended with zesty citrus accents. Rouge's heart is rich with modern florals with a drydown consisting of warm, passionate notes such as cashmere woods, patchouli and musks. Christian Lacroix Noir is an elegant fougere design with fresh and spicy topnotes of ginger and saffron. Noir's heart consists of cardamom and textured orris with a drydown composed of a woody blend of cedarwood and vetiver. The luxurious packaging is distinctive of the House of Christian Lacroix, reflecting a passion for embroidered motifs with the bold use of red and black.

"Avon believes all women should have access to great style and fashion, and by bringing Mr. Lacroix's creations to the Avon consumer, we are helping women feel more special, and more beautiful," said Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President and Brand President for Avon Products, Inc. "Avon is the global beauty company unmatched for its understanding and appreciation of its clients' sensibilities and aspirations. Together, Avon and Christian Lacroix will enhance and realize their respective visions, expanding their objectives of offering inspiring and quality fashion to women everywhere."

"I consider that every woman is a red carpet star and nothing gives me more pleasure than celebrating their individuality: their inner spirit, their seductiveness, their lives and loves," adds Mr. Lacroix. "By partnering with Avon, the company whose heritage is a virtual celebration of women, I can connect with women everywhere. I envision Rouge becoming the Avon woman's signature, one that's utterly feminine yet mysterious and bold."

Born in Provence, France, Christian Lacroix studied at both Paris' prestigious Sorbonne and Ecole du Louvre with the ambition of becoming a museum curator. Then destiny intervened: influenced to draw, Mr. Lacroix shifted his focus to haute couture, eventually establishing the House of Christian Lacroix in 1987. Today, its brands are sold in over 60 points of sale in France and 1,000 points of sale worldwide. Distinguished by their exuberant patterns, sensuality and attention to detail, his designs have been coveted by A-list celebrities, including award winning actresses and singers.

Christian Lacroix's imprint is apparent in every phase of Rouge's development: the scent, the packaging, even the name. Says Mr. Lacroix, "I believe fragrance reveals a woman's character even more than fashion. I was inspired by my love of red to create a powerful and fiery fragrance, the ultimate accessory embodying the energy of life, sensuality and passion." For men, the color black inspires mystery, elegance and desire.

Christian Lacroix's Rouge and Noir will be featured in the company's brochure, which is distributed through over 5 million Avon Representatives around the globe.

Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel
4 out of 5 Stars

Always on the hunt for an anti-shine product that will last for hours on end, I received Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel to see if it could combat my oily t-zone. I’ve been applying the anti-shine gel as part of a step by step process in my facial routine, which have made my skincare issues turn around 360 degrees. I have been exclusively been using only Korres skin care products on my face and the results have been amazing...Read more.

Kiss My Face Tinted Moisturizer
5 out of 5 Stars

I love when I get to try a product I have never tried before. It really helps to come into a review without having any preconceived notions about how it should work. 1. I’ve never used a tinted moisturizer. 2. I’ve never used Kiss My Face. So it was a double whammy with Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer in Sisal, which is for light coverage. This moisturizer has an SPF of 8 and its oil and fragrance free. LOVE the oil free part because then it means less shine to contend with for my combination skin...Read more.

Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics
4.5 out of 5 Stars

While I absolutely love every product I received, my most favorite has been the Lavender Pearl eyeshadow. Even my mother remarked on how gorgeous the color was and asked where she could get it. Lavender Pearl is a pinky lavender with an opal-like sheen. The picture on the site does not do it justice. It has an iridescent shimmer to it. This is the product I have been using to make my eyes really pop...Read more.

Kiss My Face 3 Way Color
4.5 out of 5 Stars

After trying Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer, I was intrigued to try out their 3 Way Color product. I received mine in Heather, which is a light frosted berry looking color. The 3 Way Color can be used on your lips, cheeks and eyes. Kiss My Face’s 3 Way Color has an SPF of 8 and is moisturizing with olive and mango butter. The scent is completely delicious and its a mix of pink grapefruit, pomegranate, rasberry and white grape...Read more.

Billy B., one of the most assessable and talented makeup artists in the beauty industry, is going on tour doing seminars for The Powder Group. The American Beauty Tour will feature Billy B with seminars from a pro-artist perspective. See below for complete details and be sure to be on the lookout for my Industry Experts Profiles interview with Billy B in the coming weeks on our main blog.

Summer/Fall 2007 - The Powder Group is pleased to bring you our first round-the-country tour of one of the biggest talents in the makeup industry. Please join us as we travel the land celebrating the art of makeup with the incomprable Billy B!

Billy's stellar career counts some of the most well known women in the industry as clients including Beyonce, Sharon Stone, Pink, Mary J Blige, The Dixie Chicks, Laura Linney and on.... Check out Billy's website at billybbeauty.com

The tour will include pro-driven, consumer-friendly seminars that include product talk, tips and technique, as well as the opportunity to network and share your passion for makeup artistry with your peers.

The first leg of the tour will hit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Atlanta and a special benefit event for Unlocking Hope in the great city of New Orleans.

The Powder Group is pleased to announce W Hotels and behindthechair.com as our tour partner for the Billy B event series.

Tour dates are as follows:

San Francisco July 22

Los Angeles July 29

Dallas August 19

Chicago August 26

New York City September 23

Atlanta October 7

New Orleans Date TBD

In each city, Billy B will present two seminars. Each seminar will last two and a half hours and consist of two application demonstrations, question and answer period, as well as loads of discussion with Billy. The format of each seminar will be the same, although looks demonstrated may change during each seminar.

Billy will have his new collection of billybbeauty paintbrushes available for the special purchase price of 145.00 at the events.

The seminars have been developed from the pro-artist perspective, but as always, Billy's incredible talent and dynamic personality are a fascinating experience for all attendees pro's and non-pros alike!

In each city the event times are 10:00am - 1:30pm and 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Event fee is $145.00 per seminar.

To register or for more information please call 866.876.9337 or email info@thepowdergroup.com

Urban Apothecary Super Gloss

Naturally, as a lip gloss addict, the first product from Urban Apothecary that I had to review was their Super Gloss. This super generous tube of gloss had my name written all over it when I spotted it in the box. I received both Super Nectar and Super Charming. Super Nectar is a beautiful peach color and Super Charming is light pink...Read more.

Urban Apothecary Mineral Sheer Tint

On Urban Apothecary’s website, the description for the Mineral Sheer Tint uses the word “perfect” several times. I couldn’t agree more. This multi-mineral tinted foundation goes on smooth and leaves a beautiful dewy finish. The coverage is perfect and the foundation feels feather light...Read more.

Urban Apothecary Mineral Sheer Radiance

My Mineral Sheer Radiance is in Dream, which is a pale pink in color. This is a product you apply as a finishing touch over your foundation or you can wear it alone when you have one of those “just rolled out of bed” moments and need to run out and do errands...Read more.

Urban Apothecary Got Blot & Make Under

Got Blot is a transparent powder (do not be scared that it is pure white) that is appropriate for every skin tone. The powder is lightweight and no matter how many times you need to dab it on, it won’t build up like a pancake. It contains “tea tree oil to help fight acne, aloe to soothe and calm, and vitamin E to help repair skin damage.” Read more.

Many of my readers on Makeup Minute often email me and ask if I know the name of the spray foundation Carmindy, Makeup Artist on What Not To Wear, uses on the shows fashion victims. Today in Carmindy's newsletter, she revealed the brand of this elusive product.

Carmindy uses two spray on foundations: ERA FACE Spray on Foundation by Classified Cosmetics and Sally Hansen Air Brush Makeup.

ERA FACE Spray on Foundation comes in 10 naturally sheer shades and are divided up into two color bases: yellow-beige and red-beige. On their website, each shade notes which color base it is in. There is an "Automatch" component to the Classified Cosmetics site, where you can find the best matching ERA color to your current foundation. The site states that if your foundation is not listed in their database, their makeup artists will personally research a match.

ERA FACE Spray on Foundation requires no blending, is water resistant and lightweight. It is oil-free and won't rub off on clothing. You can find ERA at various salons or you can simply order direct through their website.

Sally Hansen Air Brush Makeup is also lightweight and oil-free. It's irritant-free and hypoallergenic. It comes in 5 shades; even one called "No color." This product is available at local retail stores such as CVS and Walgreen's, and online at Cosmetic Mall and drugstore.com (see their website for a complete list.)

Have you used either of these products?

Summersent is an ethereal floral fragrance based on a fairytale, mystical bloom. Designed as a celebration of beauty, intelligence, grace, vision and individuality, Summersent is a tribute to femininity.

The inspiration for Summersent is a rare, guarded flower never before used in the fragrance industry. The robust scent of the secretive flower bloom is blended with heart notes of Italian jasmine, Moroccan orange blossom, cassis flower and genet for a rich floral bouquet. A light infusion of mandarin provides a sparkling top note. Fresh petal “greenness” enhances the magical quality of the scent and a blend of white musks intertwined with a honey nectar accord provides a haunting dry down.

Summersent comes in an exquisite glass bottle with sparkling hand-applied Swarovski crystals, Summersent parfum is capped in a crystal dome for optimal pulse point application.

Summersent is the first launch from Marjorie Midgarden Fragrances LLC and is available at Takashimaya NYC, Von Maur stores, and www.vonmaur.com.

Summersent Media Contact:
Ivy Cartagena: Pierce Mattie Public Relations Beauty Division

Just as AVON has been branching out of the "direct sales box" with its celebrity pairings and television ads, Mary Kay has now thrown its mascara into the ring. Mary Kay was just announced as the 2007 CMA's official beauty sponsor.

The CMA's and Mary Kay consider this a mutually beneficial relationship as the awards show can tap into Mary Kay's network of more than 700,000 beauty consultants and their customers, expanding their viewership and the Mary Kay brand will gain more exposure through the female CMA viewers nationwide. You may remember that Mary Kay had some indirect exposure on The Apprentice Season 3 through finalist Tana Goertz, who was a top beauty consultant for the company.

This is a smart move on Mary Kay's part, as it will generate buzz leading up to the CMA's and possibly for some time after the CMA's air. To maximize the potential of their sponsorship, Mary Kay has started a national consumer sweepstakes and will be advertising during the event.

NYX is launching two glitter products, Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils and Candy Glitter Liner, to add a little sparkle to your summer look.

The Candy Glitter Liner will brighten your day by adding a punch of color to your makeup routine with 18 shades including Baby Pink, Disco Queen and Tangerine. NYX Cosmetics Candy Glitter Liners are long lasting liquid liners that go on wet and dry shiny. The micro glitter infused liners are hypo-allergenic and cruelty free, making them wearable for even the most sensitive skin types. Each Candy Glitter Liner is packaged in a sleek portable tube with a fun and flirty tassel on top. Candy Glitter Liners feature a smooth tip that doesn’t tug or skip on the skin so results are impeccable. Apply onto desired body area: face, hair, chest and wherever else you want to add some colorful sparkle.

NYX Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils create a stand out party look with a sweet scent in no time. NYX Cosmetics Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils are chunky crayons of translucent color and long lasting glitter that smell as sweet as candy. The velvety smooth texture of the pencil and the long lasting, flake free formula is perfect to wear on the face and the entire body. Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils are easier to apply than traditional loose glitter due to the mess free pencil form, making them perfect to take out for a night on the town. Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils are available in 16 funky shades including Hampton (lime green), Ceramic (baby doll pink), and Pale Shrimp (peach), which all create an alluring and fun look.

Where to get it: www.nyxcosmetics.com

One of my favorite hair care lines, Ojon, has recently added another product to their Rare Harvest collection; Tunu Elastik Flexible Finishing Hairspray. Tunu Elastik features a rare protein-rich extract from the Tunu rubber tree that provides extreme body, bounce and hold due to its flexible isoprene polymer chains.

Tunu Elastik benefits:

* Eco-friendly formula, no CFC's
* Has sunscreens to prevent hair color from fading
* 100% Ojon Oil strengthens and restores
* Brocolli seed oil adds shine
* Natural algae extract eliminates static and frizz
* Soft, flake and frizz-free, hydrated hair
* prevents breakage
* extreme bounce and hold

This product is sold exclusively through QVC (and has often sold out since it debuted in March).

Ban the exterior shine and bring out the inner glow! Whether it’s day or night, at school or at work, everyone wants a smooth matte complexion without the oily shine. Black Opal’s Invisible Oil Blocking Powder comes to the rescue in a no-color, hypoallergenic, truly invisible powder to absorb oil and prevent shine for hours.

Black Opal’s Invisible Oil Blocking Powder comes in two forms: pressed or loose. This lightweight formula is packed with unique oil blotters to control shine without a powdery residue. The Invisible Oil Blocking Powder is translucent to blend perfectly with every skin tone and create a completely matte look. You will be left feeling confident to step into the spotlight without the frequent trips to powder room.

Whether the day consists of a shopping trip or a day in the office, Black Opal’s Invisible Oil Blocking Powder won’t dry out skin and compliments any shade of foundation. It can also be worn alone. Skin is left feeling and looking healthy with a porcelain-like finish.

Have you tried this product? What did you think?

Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner

Caviar=Indulgence. It is no surprise that Alterna's Caviar hair care line feels like complete indulgence. I was completely taken by surprise when I used their Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner. My hair is long and feels thick and coarse. I've never had a day when I can simply use a pick through my hair without spraying on detangler first...Read more.

Zerran Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner

My hair is really finicky. If I put too much moisture into it, it gets oily, if I use regular shampoo, it dries out. Many times I have to change up which styling products I use each day, otherwise my scalp dries out and flakes. Oh, and let's not forget that I color my hair to cover that hideous gray that reminds me I will be 33 this summer. So when I was given the chance to try Zerran's Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner, I decided to give it a shot...Read more.

Ojon Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

I admit it, I color my hair. If I didn’t, I would have that grey Bonnie Raitt stripe at the front of my hair. When I color my hair it tends to dry and frizz a little more than usual, an existing problem that gets magnified. This week for a review I tried out some products by Ojon specifically for dry, dull and chemically-treated hair. From the moment I opened the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, I knew this was going to be an experience...Read more.

Bain de terre White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment

In the winter my hair gets so dry. And frizz? It is positively unruly. So this season I decided to take a new approach to my hair by using a daily leave in conditioner as opposed to the wash and rinse kind. I received bain de terre, which is part of the Zoto’s brand, White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment. What’s interesting about this bottle is that the opening is on the bottom with a cap that twists open to allow product to come through a hole in the center. This is the least messy bottom capped bottle I have ever used...Read more.

When you need a little “cosmetic refreshment,” you better make sure you are spending money using the right doctor. Here are some important tips from Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Anthony Youn on how to choose a Plastic Surgeon. For more plastic surgery news, please check out his blog at www.celebritycosmeticsurgery.blogspot.com.

There is no law against a person calling themselves a plastic surgeon or even advertising themselves as that in the paper or yellow pages. Heck, I can put an ad out that says I'm the world's best cardiologist, and if I could convince you to let me perform angioplasty on you then there is no law against it!

My first advice to a patient is to go to the website: http://www.plasticsurgery.org and find surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in your area. This website lists nearly every board-certified plastic surgeon in the U.S.

Second, make sure that the board-certified plastic surgeon you select is proficient in the surgery you are interested in having. Plastic surgeons are trained in a wide array of plastic surgery, including hand, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery. Just because I was fully trained in hand surgery doesn't mean you want me reattaching your thumb!

Third, meet with the surgeon(s) to make sure you are comfortable with him or her. There is no better indication of how your surgical experience will be than the face-to-face consultation with the surgeon. If you don't meet the surgeon during the consultation or it is very rushed, it is an indication that the surgeon may also rush your surgery and may not take care of you afterwards.

Finally, there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. The field of plastic surgery is very difficult to enter, as the residency positions are extremely competitive to obtain and consist of at least five years of rigorous training with at least two of those years dedicated to plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgeons, on the other hand, can be trained in one of many fields, including ENT, general surgery, OB-Gyn, and dermatology. Often, these practitioners can abruptly change their medical practice to become a cosmetic surgeon with as little as one year of cosmetic surgery training. I once had the family physician of a patient of mine try to convince her to cancel her facelift with me so that the family doc could perform the facelift herself! Crazy!

Now, there are some outstanding cosmetic surgeons out there, don't get me wrong. I often send difficult eyelid reconstructions to oculoplastic colleagues of mine, who would do a much better job than I. Just do your homework and make sure that your surgeon has the training to do the surgery you want.

Dr. Anthony Youn Media Contact:
Kim Tobman: Pierce Mattie Public Relations Beauty Division

Whether your feet are pounding the pavement or hitting the hot sand, don't let them cry out for help before paying special attention them. For many women, Spring and Summer are the seasons for pedicures, but come Fall and Winter, their feet become hidden away and forgotten about. A little pampering can go a long way and Kiss My Face has a great organic foot creme to deliver the moisture that your trouble spots (heels, balls of your feet, etc) need.

Kiss My Face's Foot Cream smells of invigorating peppermint, which is known for its cooling and soothing properties on your skin. The Foot Creme is rich and thick, but spreads easily and is non-greasy. Kiss My Face includes ingredients such as Shea Butter, various fruits, essential oils and Vitamin E to complete their nourishing and moisturizing formula. Vitamin E is known for its many skincare benefits, including reducing the formation of free radicals on the skin.

So be sure to pamper your feet daily with this organic pedicure in a bottle to avoid the aches and pains (and callouses) that walking in the city can bring on.

Solessence

Solessence believes in "the power of pampering" and so do I; the way a product feels on your skin, the aroma of your favorite fragrance, how nurturing your skin is also nurturing your soul. Taking time out for you is so important to your well being. Solessence sent some products my way recently and I now understand why The Fashion Team on TV Guide loved their products so much...Read more.

KLEAN Bath & Body

I received KLEAN Bath & Body's Sugar Body Polish in Blue Hawaii, KLEAN Mist in Grass and Extreme Moisturizing Shea Lotion in Zen Tea. I loved these products so much, that I placed an order right away for their Pearlized Bath & Body Wash (and another lotion!). While most companies scents for their products seem to almost always duplicate Bath & Body Works in some way or another, KLEAN really stands out for their unique product scents making this a very memorable pampering experience...Read more.

Upper Canada Soap & Candles Makers Body Truffle Collection

The Warming Fondue Scrub is awesome. It is a thick paste that looks like icing when you squeeze it out of the tube. It warms up upon contact with your skin and smells and feels fabulous. Your skin never felt so soft from a chocolate binge. The Massaging Souffle has a gorgeous pearl color and glides effortlessly on your skin. The Creamy Milk Chocolate scent will remind you of a Hershey's Chocolate bar...Read more.

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath

This creamy white bath soak is like slipping into velvet. I only put about 2 capfulls into my bath (although the instructions say to put in 5) and it just made the bath water feel like silk. If creamy can describe the scent, then creamy it is. It is so soothing and relaxing and it made my skin feel so super soft. I've loved it so much that I've basically stayed in the bath until my skin prunes...Read more.

Simply say, “The Beauty Bible” and everyone knows I am talking about Paula Begoun. I recently was able to interview Paula, also known for her other best sellers: Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me and Don’t Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me. Paula Begoun is also a syndicated columnist of “Dear Paula,” a column that can be found throughout newspapers in the US and the creator and innovative force behind her product line, “Paula’s Choice.”

When you first began to challenge the cosmetics industry, were you met with much resistance by them, or did they give off the attitude that you were simply one individual who didn't pose much of a threat?
I have always found the resistance the same, some people in the industry love my work and others think I don’t know what I’m talking about. In the long run, I don’t pose much of a threat, but that’s always true for an iconoclast.

As time went on and your books became best sellers (and you--a force to be reckoned with), did you notice that the brands you were challenging for false claims began to change the wording in their advertising?
No, if anything things have gotten worse. Cosmetic companies don’t even care what the FDA does, because by the time anyone notices, the next advertising campaign or product launch replaced the previous one.

In the beginning, were you surprised by the amount of women responding to you? Are you still surprised that it continues today?
I’m always surprised how many women know my work. Selling over 2 million books is really great for the ego. What saddens me, is when I feel nothing has changed and women are still wasting lots of money on misleading advertising claims.

You said (on your website) that Paula's Choice and your challenging of the cosmetic industry began as a personal quest. Do you now feel like an advocate for all women discerning fact from fiction in product claims?
It still feels like a personal quest, I find myself wanting to know more all the time. Being an advocate for myself, and having turned that into a business is a wonderful way to earn a living.

What makes Paula's Choice products stand out among its competitors?
It depends on who the competitor is. There are some really bad products on the market and in those instances my products are stellar with state of the art ingredients, air tight packaging (to keep the beneficial ingredients stable), and elegant formulations. But there are also brilliant products out there that are truly excellent and I feel strongly my products compete beautifully (and almost always, mine are far less expensive).

A definite "beauty don't" is wearing sandals baring your cracked heels. Heal and deeply condition your worn and weathered heels with Cracked Heel Repair Push-Up Stick from Earth Therapeutics. Soothe rough, cracked heels with Cracked Heel Repair’s natural formula to smooth and soften cracked skin, restore moisture and pamper overworked feet with a mess-free application.

Cracked heels are relieved with Earth Therapeutics’ natural formula of anti-septic tea tree oil and deeply nourished with shea butter, a natural emollient to repair, soften and protect dry, rough, cracked skin. Cracked Heel Repair Push-Up Stick is hypo-allergenic, contains no mineral oil and is paraffin free.

Key Ingredients: tea tree oil, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, beeswax, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin A, and vitamin B

Application tip: For softer and smoother skin, push the stick up and apply daily to heels, feet, or any rough, dry patches such as elbows, knees or hands.

For hundreds of years, sea water has been known to have therapeutic effects on the skin because of its countless vitamins and minerals. It is in the sea, off the coast of Iceland, where Dr. Jon Bragi Bjarnason Ph.D. discovered the key to skin rejuvenation- in the form of a highly active marine enzyme. After extensive research on the enzyme’s wound healing abilities, Dr. Bragi received the worldwide patent on Penzyme (so-called for its skin-penetrating actions), the main active ingredient in the new Dr. Bragi Age Management Marine Enzyme.

The marine enzyme is found in the depths of the ocean where temperatures are extremely low, so it becomes super-active when warmed by body heat. The revolutionary enzyme penetrates deep into the epidermis, and the skin’s body heat rapidly increases the enzyme’s ability to transform the skin from within.

Dr. Bragi Age Management Marine Enzyme is a unique, non-greasy anti-aging serum, free of artificial additives or chemicals, making it hypoallergenic and suitable for even the most sensitive skin. The serum can be used by males and females of any age and just a pea-sized amount works continuously to protect, moisturize, and rejuvenate skin throughout the day.

The Dr. Bragi Age Management Marine Enzyme has four main anti-aging actions:

* Rejuvenating- cleanses and exfoliates epidermal cells, leaving dull skin brighter and more youthful. Visibly smoothes wrinkles and reduces the effects of sun damage.

* Moisturizing- improves elasticity and normalizes the skin’s water content. Glycerol and sorbitol lock water molecules inside the skin for continuous hydration.

* Lifting- encourages production of collagen, preventing and improving the appearance of dark circles and reducing sagging.

* Anti-inflammatory- reduces irritation, itchiness, and redness, while helping to improve skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.

Dr. Bragi products are available exclusively at Bliss Spas nationwide or www.blissworld.com.

Don't let humidity get the best of you--I know how frustrating it can be to have perfectly good salon-looking hair suddenly frizz out on you. All you need are the right tools, products and good technique when it comes to creating picture perfect hair while combating the frizz.

First, a great blow dryer is a must, preferably one with a nozzle for aiming the air directly in the desired location and angle you want it to dry your hair. The T3 Bespoke Labs Evolution Dryer uses tourmaline-infused ceramic components to emit maximum negative ionic and far infrared energy, which together eliminate frizz and drying time while creating sleek and shiny hair. It's nozzle directs airflow exactly where you want it and blows a concentrated amount of negative ions and far infrared heat onto large sections of hair.

Second, the right styling aids are a must. I interchangeably use Joico's K-Pak Smoothing Balm and Ojon's Daily Intensive Shine Treatment. Both add shine to your hair and both counteract frizz. You'll also want to make sure you are using the right brush. A round bristle brush will grab your hair and smooth it as you dry your hair root to tip.

When drying your hair, make sure that you only dry sections at a time; don't try to dry it all at once. Start by clipping th top half of your hair to the top of your head and blow dry the bottom half aiming your blow dryer straight down over your brush, but about 5cm away from your hair so that you don't burn it. Slowly brush through hair as you dry keeping the dryer nozzle aimed downwards while you continue to dry your hair, small sections at a time. If you have any flyaways or a small amount of frizz, spray your hairspray into your palms and smooth through your hair.

Have any additional hair care tips you want to add? Let us know in the comments!

This summer Vogue International has re-defined the hair care category with its launch of a revolutionary new product iWater. A marvel of innovation and technological advancement, iWater is a shower purification system with ion technology which supercharges the water with anti-oxidant ions and reduces up to 99.9% of chlorine and other damaging minerals.

You’ll notice the difference after just one shower! Your skin feels softer and healthier -and without the chlorine, your hair looks shinier and more manageable, and your hair color and won’t get bleached out. The results – pure essential beauty water giving hair and skin a youthful radiant glow!

Did you know that every time you step into the shower you’re bathing in chlorinated water which can damage and dry-out your hair and skin? By some estimates, hair and skin absorbs as much chlorine in a 10 minute shower as your body does in drinking 2 gallons of chlorinated tap water. So why let chlorine continue to ruin your hair and damage and dry your skin – when iWater can eliminate the chlorine? Chlorine is bleach, so by removing the chlorine, iWater allows hair color to stay truer up to three times longer.

iWater contains tourmaline crystals (like those found in expensive blow dryers) which emits a negative molecular charge to water that closes and seals hair’s cuticle layer, making hair softer and shinier. This ion tourmaline technology changes the surfactant level of the water, actually making the water feel – wetter!

The iWater filter lasts for up to 10,000 gallons of water! This equates to two people each taking a 10 minute shower every day for 6 months – or a total of 400 showers!

iWater is ready to use right out of the box and installs in minutes. A must for anyone with dry, flaky or sensitive skin, and filtered water is perfect for those with dry, damaged, or color treated hair. Cost is $49.99 and replacement filters are $19.99 at www.myiwater.com.

Content stealing, or a nice way of saying "copyright infringment," is an issue that I know hits a nerve with many Bloggers. You spend your time doing research and writing, only to find that another "Blogger" uploaded your content to their site presenting it as their own work. Nothing bothers me more than seeing my work elsewhere without proper attribution. Such is the case with one such blog that is taking posts from Beauty Pro (A Pierce Mattie PR blog) without proper credit, that blog is Popular Beauty News.

I am a member of The Beauty Blog Network and this is an issue that many of the members have been discussing lately as it has affected a majority of them. I had the chance to speak about this issue with one of the members, Carleen Pruess, who writes Beauty & Fashion Tech but is also an Illinois Lawyer.

Continue reading at Pierce Mattie Public Relations.

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