Beauty pro division

Spa Towells
4 out of 5 Stars
I have to admit, when I was approached to review Spa Towells, I wondered what it would look like and if it would actually work. I received a few packages of the towells, which were pretty good size. In fact, the towells were bigger than I imagined them to be. They are 8x8, which for image purposes imagine opening up a tri-folded papertowel like those in women's restrooms...Read more.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment
5 out of 5 Stars
Ojon is the talk of the town these days. If you haven't seen them on QVC, then you've surely heard other beauty bloggers raving about their products. Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment contains 100% Ojon palm nut oil from the rainforest in Central America...Read more.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum
4 out of 5 Stars
I loved the very light rose scent. Not too florally or overly done. Nothing that would cause you to think it was too fragrant. The serum was tan in color and it only took 3 pumps to cover my entire face and eye area. It only pumps out a small amount at a time, so the 3 pumps really wasn't a lot of product...Read more.

Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
4 out of 5 Stars
I have an uneven skin tone, and honestly, I don’t know too many people with the perfect complexion. I am always on the hunt for a product that will transform my blotchy skin and make it look flawless. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to liquid Foundation, I have a love hate relationship with it...Read more.

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.

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.

Pro Pigment by Urban Apothecary
3 out of 5 Stars

I chose Czarina for my Pro Pigment, which on the website looked like a combination of pinks and purples. These are colors that make my hazel eyes look more green than brown, so I was all for it. Just like the Supernatural Mineral Powder, the size of this Pro Pigment was very generous. I would even gander to say that there is enough pigment to last me probably 9 months...Read more.

Lulu Beauty Lip Lustre
4 out of 5 Stars

The Lip Lustre I received was in Velvet, which was a pretty mauve tone and almost had a plum color to it. At first I was a little nervous, as I have never used this color on my lips before. However, my lips looked magical and I was really amazed at how well the color fit in with my skin tone...Read more.

MAXwear Lip Color
5 out of 5 Stars

The MAXwear Lip Color is a two part system. First you apply the lip color that is a flexible stain of sorts and then you apply the gloss. I say flexible stain, because it is an 8 hour smudge-proof lip color, although it feels nothing like a lipstain. It’s flexible and works with your lips. While it is not thick, it gives the look of freshly applied lipstick even hours after applying it...Read more.

CoverGirl Lash Exact Mascara
5 out of 5 Stars

Cover Girl has come out with a new mascara, LashExact, that has a whole new brush to give you that glamorous look. The LashExact brush is a molded thermoplastic brush that features bristles that are placed and spaced exactly even. What does this mean? It means that the mascara can glide effortlessly and evenly to each individual lash...Read more.

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.

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.

The Cucumber Eye Care Kit from Earth Therapeutics offers a soothing oasis in the middle of the stress, pollution, environmental factors or even a late night after the Oscars, which can take their toll on the eyes and the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. To soothe, calm, and condition, try the Recover-E Cucumber Eye Pads. Infused with real Cucumber extract, Vitamin E, and a beneficial blend of nutrients, these pre-moistened treatment pads cool and soothe on contact – offering a convenient, one-step solution for comforting and replenishing delicate skin around the eyes. Over time, these treatment pads help restore the skin.

Tired eyes are pampered. Tired skin is nourished and nurtured. Puffiness and swelling are relieved. Dark circles are visibly diminished. After a relaxing treatment with the Recover-E Eye Pads, try on the Herba-Gel Beauty Mask to put the finishing touches on your eye care regimen. The Herba-Gel Mask can be used either warm or cool to further soothe and invigorate tired, strained eyes. Eyes will feel fresh and rested. Skin around the eyes will look and feel soft, smooth, and radiant. -Enjoy in good health

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Boots No7 Restore & Renew

I received Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum a few weeks ago to review. Restore & Renew is a light, nongreasy serum that quickly absorbs into your skin. I noticed that my skin felt softer and had a noticeable difference in its appearance...Read more.

Boots No7 Colour Calming Makeup Base

Boots No7 Colour Calming is a makeup base and red skin tone neutralizer. It is a sea green color, however I found that this product really varies from Physician’s Formula Conceal Rx. Whereas Conceal Rx made me look green and zombie-like if I didn’t apply the right amount, the Colour Calming didn’t give me that pale look at all...Read more.

Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes

Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes are meant to cleanse, remove impurities, tone and moisturize your skin. They come in a plastic bag with a plastic snap cap to keep the wipes fresh. These wipes are fragrances-free and hypoallergenic...Read more.

Boots No7 Reviving Eye Gel

Boots No7's Reviving Eye Gel is a greaseless gel containing witch hazel and horse chestnut with ProVitamin B5 decreasing the appearance of those bags and moisturizing them at the same time. You don't need much, just a small dab around each eye, to see a difference...Read more.

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.

Having combination skin has always proved to be tricky when trying to find a good moisturizer to block UVA and UVB rays without further making my skin oily. Many creams are too thick or contain ingredients that increase the shine factor to my face, which I attempt to avoid at all costs. I've heard good things about Institut' DERMed's products, so I decided to give their recently launched Sun Protective Cream a try.

Institut' DERMed has two Sun Protective Creams with broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. There is one for dry skin, which is a rich cream and has an SPF of 15; and one for oily skin types, which is a light lotion with an SPF of 25. The Sun Protective Cream for oily skin is oil free featuring full spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

The Sun Protective Cream glides on smooth without that typical greasy moisturizer feeling and is quickly absorbed into your skin. It's a a non-comedogenic sun protective cream that also contains aloe vera gel to soothe and heal troubled skin, so if you suffer from acne or any skin inflammation, aloe vera has wonderful healing properties. Another benefit to using this cream is it moisturizes and protects against solar induced free radical reactions that cause skin discoloration and premature aging, which is a great benefit for all of us, especially when you don't want to look older (due to premature wrinkling) than you actually are.

If you have been in search of a oil free moisturizer with full spectrum protection from UVA/UVB, I definitely recommend this product. If you have dry skin and have tried Institut' DERMed's Sun Protective Cream for dry skin, let me know how it worked for you.

Institut' DERMed's Sun Protective Cream can be purchased at retail outlets nationally. You can find a location nearest you by calling 1-866-i-dermed.

Media Contact for Institut' DERMed:
Pierce Mattie Public Relations Beauty Division:
Contact: Ivy Cartagena (Ivy at piercemattie dot com)

Lamisilk Intensive Feet Therapy

Lamisilk Intensive Foot Therapy has a three-part system to help get your feet back to beautiful. This system includes their Exfoliating Scrub, Daily Hydrating Cream, and Overnight Moisture Seal (all sold separately) to Cleanse, Hydrate and Protect. The Exfoliating Scrub is non-abrasive. I was actually surprised that it didn't contain sugar or salt, the usual components in exfoliators, and instead had corn meal and loofah...Read more.

Plantogen Sole Scrub & Sole Repair Cream

If you are looking to put a little spa in your step, then you should give Plantogen Sole Scrub and Sole Repair Cream a try. Plantogen is "plant derived spa therapy" combining the effective ingredients from plants with today's scientific technology. The Sole Scrub is a once a week exfoliator made with apricot seeds, peppermint, tea tree oil, menthol and chamomile...Read more.

Artemis Woman Heel Smoother Pro & Topaz Shea Butter

This handy little device is a Godsend. Sometimes, just exfoliating your dry, cracked feet doesn't take care of your calloused feet--you need to take it to the next level and then let exfoliating and moisturizing be your way to maintain your fabulous new feet. The Artemis Woman Heel Smoother Pro is a pedicure appliance that smooths callouses and removes dry skin on heels and toes in seconds--literally! Read more.

Pedi-Relax Foot Care Products

Pedi-Relax is a foot care line that I had never heard of...but have enjoyed using their products and learning more about them in recent weeks. Their product line consists of 8 foot pampering products at an amazingly reasonable price ($7.99). Pedi-Relax is a foot care line made with essential oils such as Tea Tree, Lavender, Thyme, Sweet Almond and Sage. All of their products are intended to pamper, refresh and protect your feet and are offered in gels, creams and sprays...Read More.

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.

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.

MAC Cosmetics Painterly Paint Pots

I am most excited about MAC’s new Painterly collection. There are 12 gorgeously colored “paint pots” in this collection, and there is not one color that I did not love (even the blue!) This is the 3rd collection by MAC that I have been able to review and by far my favorite. The formula for the paint pots is incredible. They are creamy to apply and blend easily (I didn’t use a brush, only my finger) and they dry looking like a highly intense pigmented powder...Read more.

MAC Cosmetics Flashtronic Lipglass

MAC Cosmetic’s Flashtronic collection of lipglass is the bee’s knees. Gorgeous colors, satin finish, glass-like shine and the best part? The Lipglass lasts a very long time! I was surprised at the length-wear I got out of these babies...Read more.

MAC Cosmetics Rush Metal Eyeshadow Pigments

The pigment eyeshadow colors in MAC Cosmetics Rush Metal collection is actually very Fall oriented. I don’t really mind so much, as Fall is one of my favorite seasons (the other is Spring) and I love wearing those warm colors. For me, these color work fabulous with my hazel eyes. The coppers and golds really bring out the flecks of gold in my eyes and seem to really enrich the green. Copperized looks great as a crease shadow to also bring some pop to my eyes...Read more.

MAC Cosmetics Rush Metal Lipsticks

Metallics are what’s in fashion now into the fall, so I am thrilled to be able to now wear makeup from MAC to reflect this trend. I have to admit, after Eve’s C Shock, I was a little nervous about MAC would have in store for their next collection, but there is not a color I don’t like in the Rush Metal line–we’re starting with the lipsticks...Read more.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick

I received Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in both Perfect Cinnamon and Perfect Blush. It’s like wearing silk on your lips. The Ceramide Lipsticks contain Vitamins A, C and E; Tahitian Gardenia extract and their Ceramide Triple Complex. Perfect Cinnamon is a shimmery amber color–so pretty. Perfect Blush looks like a nude on my lips, also very pretty...Read more.

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrique Eyeshadow Quad & Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil

I know the Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quads have been around for a while now, but the compacts are so beautiful–how can you justify just putting it away in your makeup bag?
I have Sueded Browns and Velvet Plumtones, both gorgeous, rich colors. If you have hazel eyes, both of these palettes look amazing. The pigments are great and the colors are long lasting...Read more.

Elizabeth Arden Double Density Maximum Volume Mascara

I have so been loving Elizabeth Arden’s Double Density mascara lately. What they say: A new dimension in lash power. Dramatically thickens lashes as it separates and defines. Smudgeproof. Lasts all day. What I thought...Read more.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules

Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules, an intensive treatment for your face and throat, was sent to me in June. I reviewed this product for several weeks so I could report to you if I noticed any difference in my skin. These small golden capsules simply need to be twisted twice to expel the serum that is stored within. As small as these capsules were, I found that I didn't need to use all of the serum it contained because there was plenty to cover my entire face and throat...Read more.

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Boots Botanics Lip Gloss

I’m beginning to see why Boots is the #1 beauty brand in the UK. Among the many products from Boots that I was sent, of course I first dove for the lip gloss in the package and immediately applied it. I received the Boots Botanics Lip Gloss in Loganberry, which is a beautiful mauve color...Read more.

Luscious Cosmetics Lip Delites

Luscious Cosmetics Lip Delites are glosses with just a hint of color to them. They contain hyralonic acid to soften your lips and a lip volumizer to plump them up to 40%. I received two Lip Delites from Luscious Cosmetics; Boca Raton and White Sands...Read more.

Rimmel Underground Light Beam After Dark

I received my Light Beam lip gloss in Spotlight. I was a little nervous at first because it is hot pink. I was on the verge of feeling disappointed that I wouldn’t really be able to use this product beyond just trying it out for review. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Spotlight is a very sheer gloss with a slight hint of color...Read more.

MAC in 3D

MAC in 3D is the newest lipglass collection available only until October 1st. It contains 12 luxurious and super glossy reflective glosses. 3D lipglass is a gel-based formula that combines reflective and chrome pearls so that you get dimension and high shine. I am all about the shine...Read more.

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When I was in high school my absolute must-have in the shower was Garden Botanika's Seaweed Soap. By the time I had entered college, they had discontinued their seaweed spa line and I was left hunting high and low for a seaweed soap to replace my staple. So when I received a gift certificate to DermStore.com, I knew I had to give Phytomer's Seaweed Soap a try.

Phytomer's Seaweed Soap is 100% natural and can be used on all skin types. It is a combination of a cleanser and exfoliator in one, yet it is gentle enough to use on a daily basis. The fact that it had a 5 star rating by DermStore.com customers convinced me that Phytomer's Seaweed Soap may just be what I have been looking for all this time.

When I received the soap, I was surprised at how large in size it was. It's definitely thicker and bigger than your average soap. The scent is clean and refreshing. As you begin to use it, the seaweed begins to expose itself more as it removes any evidence of scaly skin and leaves your skin feeling soft and refined. You can definitely extend the life of this soap by taking proper care of it--using a wooden soap tray with ridges so that it doesn't sit in water and wither away.

Don't let the $17 price tag prevent you from buying this. I also hesitated a bit, but knew that so many rave reviews meant it had to be well worth the price...and it was.

Have you used Phytomer's Seaweed Soap or any other products from their line? I'd love to hear what you thought.

Zensation Brightening Mask

Zensation products are made in Switzerland with Swiss ingredients and well, I haven't seen a Swed yet who doesn't have gorgeous skin. Since I am forever plagued by an uneven skin tone that includes redness (but is not rosacea), I decided to first use their Brightening Mask to see if it would make a difference. The Zensation Brightening Mask is a gel-like cream that looks similar to facial moisturizer, except just a bit thicker...Read more.

Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment

Talk about some spa time for your lips. I've been using Kanebo's Sensai Total Lip Treatment for a few weeks and have been loving the way it makes my lips look and feel. What they say: Promotes collagen synthesis and quality in the “O-Zone” area on and around the lips. Minimizes dullness, repairs roughness, and leaves lips plumped up and smooth...Read more.

Lumedia Facial Brightener

The term "facial brightener" means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Facial Brighteners to me mean that they give your skin that "natural glow" look. I found that to be true of Lumedia, a 100% hydroquinone-free Facial Brightener. When I normally do a review, I don't typically look at what other reviews have said, however, I saw that on Amazon reviews were both positive and negative. Either customers saw a difference right away or not at all...Read more.

Borghese Salt Scrub

I LOVE exfoliating. I love my scrubs so much, that I really have to put the reigns on myself not to go into exfoliation overload. There is just something about sloughing off that lifeless dead skin to reveal vibrant glowing healthy skin underneath. I was so excited when I received Borghese's Salt Scrub because I have heard that their products are amazing. I was surprised when I opened the jar and didn't actually see any salt, but instead what resembled their Fango Mud instead...Read more.

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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.

Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Tints

Sally Hansen says: * Refreshing tinted gloss enhances lips’ natural color and shape by shape while adding brilliant shine. * Peppermint “cools” and stimulates lips. * Lips become flush and plump instantly for a sexy, pouty look. * Vitamins A and E hydrate the lips. What I thought:
Beautiful pink color–looked great on me. However, my lips only plumped slightly and didn’t last very long. I was really hoping for something more substantial...Read more.

Jane Iredale Lemon Lid Primer

Jane Iredale’s Lemon Lid Primer had a creamy thick consistency to it. It applied very easily, going on smooth. Although it was thick when I swiped my finger over the jar, it did not appear thick at all once applied. The lemon color immediately muted my red eye area...Read more.

Boots No7 Blush Tint

Boots No7’s Blush Tint is a compact little tube blush and the tint of Blossom is a beautiful fleshtone pink. This color is perfectly wearable whether its to go to work or making your weekly shopping trip to the mall. Simply swipe it at the apples of your cheeks and use your finger tips to blend. It’s really that simple...Read more.

iS Clinical Youth Complex

I received iSClinical Youth Complex a few weeks ago. This is a new wrinkle cream that is sold exclusively through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medi-spas, cosmetic physicians and medical estheticians. 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...Read more.

Boots No7 Restore & Renew

I received Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum a few weeks ago to review. Restore & Renew is a light, nongreasy serum that quickly absorbs into your skin. I noticed that my skin felt softer and had a noticeable difference in its appearance...Read more.

Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner

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.

Emerita Day Face Cream SPF15

Emerita's Day Face Cream is fragrance free; I liked that it didn't compete with the other fragrances that I wear. It is very thick and creamy, I thought it would go on heavy, but it absorbed rapidly. I noticed right away how soft and smooth it made my face feel...Read more.

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inSpa Moisturizing Soap

I have this little addiction to soap, not your run of the mill bar soap from your local market, but the kind found at boutiques, spa's and bath & body stores. I love glycerin soap, shea butter soap and soaps made of essential oils. For some reason it just feels plain luxurious to moisturize my skin this way. One of the latest soaps I've been using is inSpa's Moisturizing Soap. It's not particularly large in size, however with proper care (ie. don't leave it sitting in the water), it's lasted me several weeks...Read more.

Sharon Bolton Scents

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. The one thing I love most is tons and tons of thick luxurious lathering bubbles. This Body Wash delivers and I would think that I could take a bubble bath with it and get lost in the bubbles...Read more.

Jordan Essentials Chocolate Mint Massage Bar

My favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip; favorite brand is Breyers. So it is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I fell in love with Jordan Essentials' Chocolate Mint Massage Bar. This Massage Bar is similar to our other Lotion Bars, in that it is a solid bar of lotion and contains beeswax, essential oils and Vitamin E...Read more.

Bath and Body Bliss Soaps

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.

Coastal Scents Glossi Glazes & Concealer A

The Glossi Glaze is pretty unqiue. Their website states that it can go between being a lip gloss and a lipstick. It comes in a glass jar and it is a thick “balm” that you can apply with your lip brush or finger...Read more.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips

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. I was definitely feeling the sensation like my lips were huge, yet they weren’t...Read more.

Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner

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. No muss, no fuss…just the way I like it...Read more.

Urban Apothecary Supernatural Mineral Powder

This powder is definitely feather light and offers a great matte look, especially in my T-zone. It gives “buildable” coverage, in that a once over will give you more of a transluscent powder look, but a second pat will give you color to match your skin tone, concealing uneveness and giving you that perfect look. I also love that this powder has a SPF of 8...Read more.

Like any woman, I love makeup, but my signature day look is always a natural healthy glow. My prayers were answered when my client, Colorescience, introduced me to their foundation primers.

Since my introduction a few weeks ago, I have been using the Line Tamer, which brightens skin, and minimizes the look of pores (my greatest enemy!) This smooth lightweight mousse, has a lemon scent and mattifies oily skin to keep shine in check all day. My skin is flawless and I can wear it alone, which is great as I don’t wear any foundation.

The fact that Colorescience is a mineral line is great for me right now, as I am currently pregnant. I can wear my favorite product, knowing that the Line Tamer is safe and is providing my skin with Vitamin E and powerful antioxidants such as green tea. This is my star product for summer!

In my line of work, I often have my pick of the litter when it comes to grooming products, giving me the luxury of trying a new product almost every day. Most recently, I had the pleasure of sampling MiN New York’s new ProEnzyme Facial Cleanser and Scrub, and was thrilled by the performance.

To start, I exfoliated with the ProEnzyme Facial Scrub. Right away I noticed a difference, as the scrub was very creamy with a light grit. After doing some research, I learned what differentiated this scrub from all the others on the market.

On a quest for perfect skin?

Dermaquest Skin Therapy came onto the high-tech skin care scene in 1999, but didn't have it's big debut until more recently. Don't be fooled by its sleek and fancy packaging that might lead you to believe it's just another line putting less than perfect products into attractive packaging--they are for real. I have had the opportunity to try a slew of their products and watch friends of mine do the same, so my raving is backed up with personal experience.

Their line encompasses a perfect balance of scientific research and an esthetician formulated product to create some of the most efficient products out there. They have become best known for their DermaLash product, a lash thickener featured on Rachael Ray as seen below:

Their skin care is what I am in love with. 

For Acne sufferers, their Rejuvaderm is somewhat of a life saver. My friend and liscensed esthetician, Lauren Zebro, and I decided to put our stubborn acne prone faces up to the challenge and Dermaquest delivered. All the claims associated with the product were starting to be seen within two weeks. My skin has never felt so smooth and hydrated while staying so clear.  Zebro has had similar results and reccomends Dermaquest to all her NYC clients.

Their age management line is also totally buzzworthy with many results-driven (and proven) products. My favorite, Peptide Mobilizer, will set you back almost $200 for 1.5 fl oz., but it's worth every penny. A thin application of this product is like a mini session of Botox. It resurfaces and increases skin thickness while relaxing muscle contractions that cause the fine lines and wrinkles everyone is trying to prevent and/or combat.

A final product of Dermaquest's that I feel compelled to highlight that any skin type can benefit from, is the Glyco Creamy Cleanser. Skincare junkies united over this fabulous cleanser before my very eyes. I know one woman whose steadfast dedication to a particular cleanser for almost 6 years was terminated immediately upon trying this cleanser. The key to this cleanser are the deep cleansing agents without the drying of the skin. As we all know a great complexion is only achieved with the correct balance of hydration.

Our skin is our presentation to the world so it ought to be taken care of with the best of products in the best care. There are a lot of medi-spas that are carrying Dermaquest and have access to professional products otherwise unavailable to consumers. I recommend trying some of their products and/or find a spa that uses them in association with their treatments. I'd love to hear about anyone who already has taken the derma "quest."

Facing the Fall 2008 Fashion Trends 

With the non-official summer fashion cut-off finally arriving yesterday, it’s time to update your makeup routine to correspond with the new fall trends.  Naturally, I like to think my fall fashion trend picks from our Fashion Rag are also all encompassing of the hottest makeup trends this fall so I went ahead and found the best beauty looks to go with each trend.

Goth Glam:  This is not the Goth of the 90’s, so please get the hope out of your head that your dark red lipped and raccoon eye lined ways were making a comeback.  Instead, the 2008 brand of Goth calls for a simple sweep of pewter shaded shadow, a clean black lash line and a plum matte lip.  I like Duwop Gray Eyes Shadow Kit (I also LOVE their Reverse Eye Liner that will compliment the clean eye desired for this look by preventing smudging and running of the eyeliner) and Urban Decay makes a terrific lipstick in Apocalypse.

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When it comes to beauty products and services, what is your most trusted source for review?  While the ‘Best of Allure’ stamp of approval is well trusted by beauty consumers, isn’t word of mouth more powerful for an appearance-altering product or service?  

That could be why Sephora recently enhanced its rating and review system at sephora.com.

When it comes to beauty services, I am indebted to the various online critique sites.  And yes, I leave reviews as well to enhance the practice for other salon junkies.  A question that must remain on our minds is how reliable are these reviews from our virtual friends?  What doesn’t stop companies from writing their own positive reviews about themselves?

Sephora’s new highly monitored system has a number of improvements that attempt to avoid these falsehoods and bring the relevance of online reviews to a whole new level.  First, they provide guidelines for users who wish to review a product including reserving the right to disapprove a review.  They also safeguard the expert reviews with “badges” that appear next to their user name. The improved review system also features a question and answer forum function that allows the beauty seeker to ask a specific question of the user community.

This December PCA Skin will be launching their newest hyperpigmentation product, Brightening Therapy with TrueTone. This product utilizes PCA Skin's proprietary blend "TrueTone" which is a combination of clinically proven ingredients that not only inhibit the production of tyrosinase (the enzyme responsible for initiating the pigment response), but also act as powerful antioxidants.

Pierce Mattie recently had the opportunity to sample this product himself and he relayed to me that it had a great fragrance, was greaseless and that he has already started to see fading of the discolorations on his skin due to sun damage. Brightening Therapy with TrueTone can be used by dry and oily skin types alike.

This unique scientific formulation joins the PCA Skin line of clinically-researched daily care products including advanced serums, evening moisturizers, broad-spectrum moisturizers with SPF and specialty products to effectively treat multiple skin types and conditions.

You can learn more about PCA Skin at www.pcaskin.com

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“If you wax or shave, you can’t be without it.” “Razor burns…a thing of the past.” I first discovered Prince Development LLC and PrinceReigns at the Skin and Body Expo at the San Francisco Moscone Center. I have been a huge fan ever since. Being a frequent wax salon visitor, I was intrigued when I heard that their PrinceReigns product could prevent ingrown hairs--those coarse and stubborn hairs that refuse to come out of the skin thus causing irritation. As a victim of a five-o’clock shadow by two o’clock, I was even more intrigued by the potential of PrinceReigns for razor bump removal.  Prince Development LLC has also recently released a set of eight rejuvenating facial mask onto the market.

After 22 years of searching I can confidently say that I have found the “fountain of youth.” The location? My tea cup!

Green Tea has been used as a medicine in China for thousands of years. With extensive studies, scientists around the world have found that drinking four to six cups of green tea daily is proven to help reduce the risk of illnesses such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and impaired immune function to name a few. The tea leaves have been found to be rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin C which helps boost the immune system and body. If green tea can work miracles for the inside of the body, what about the exterior?

The beauty industry figured it out. Now, more so than ever, green tea extract is found in acne related moisturizers, cleansers and toners to help reduce swelling and redness. (Neutrogena Acne Stress Control, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Perfume, Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Lifting Serum, Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask, etc.) I had severe acne for 10 months. My face was crying for help. Finally in November 2008 I stopped using all of the fancy topical creams and cleansers that the dermatologists were prescribing and starting doing three simple things:

Martha Stewart is getting into the beauty game with the recent launch of a beauty center on MarthaStewart.com and the addition of a beauty blog, aptly named How Lovely. Both the beauty center and beauty blog will feature daily beauty tips from industry experts, beauty trends & news as well as product reviews.

The blog is written by Mariel Rittenhouse Goodson, well known in the beauty pubs for her work in SELF and Redbook, as well as Prestige Hong Kong. Goodson knows beauty and we're thrilled she's heading up the beauty blog.

So head on over to MarthaStewart.com/beauty for tips and get your daily dose of beauty on How Lovely.