99 Products

Moving.....

2011-01-07T12:52:00.002-04:00

So maybe you've noticed or maybe you haven't but in the words of Sam Cooke "A Change is Gonna Come" and that specifically means this particular host of my long neglected beauty blog.

One of the things I promised that I would do in the new year was commit myself to the things that I truly loved doing and writing has always been my first love. So I am back in with both feet, and while I may not get the opportunity to update every day (now that's just too ambitious) I do plan on making sure that I put out fresh updates on a close to weekly basis depending upon my work schedule and travel commitments.

Another thing I have committed to do I get off of this particular platform. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Blogger but its time for an upgrade and I guess that means I learn a whole lot about a new platform in a really short amount of time.

So, for those that are still with me on this journey, you can now find me and my crazy beauty updates and opinions over at www.99products.net

Join me in 2011 for more pretty girl fun.

Champagne Life

2010-12-28T12:41:00.017-04:00

Christmas has come and gone and I survived quite nicely. My Christmas morning was filled with an enormous ornately carved Balinese screen, an amazing designer handbag, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, A little blue bag of Tiffany for Tiffany and so many other amazing unexpected gifts. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and boyfriend. Remember my last post when I was was telling y'all some of my Christmas list? Well Santa decided to pay me a visit and make one of my holiday wishes come true!

The one item I was certain that I wouldn't be getting was the ultra exclusive, completely dreamy Tom Ford Champacha Absolute fragrance that my mother and I were introduced to right before Christmas. Sneaky mom decided that there would be nothing stopping her from having that fragrance for her own and told my father. He in turn had me (his online shopping guru) order a bottle for her for Christmas. BUT WAIT!!! In an unforeseen turn of events my father in a moment of sheer Christmas spirit told me to order one for myself too! Words cant even convey my joy. It was even more fab when it arrived!!! I will be wearing this one very sparingly and guarding it with my life.
I also bought myself a Christmas present. Well, its really for my hair. I finally broke down and sprung for the Moroccan Oil Treatment I was talking about, but before I could get out of the door I was hipped to their Restorative Hair Mask. My hair was just about ready to jump ship with the way the weather has been. Everything from the drying heat in the house, to the 20 degree weather outside, to scarves and hats and the normal wear and tear of flat irons and hair dryers. My hair has been seriously unhappy with me. If it were possible, my hair would have already called the authorities on me for assault with intent to maim as it was just about at the pine needle stage where it was just falling all over my shoulders in protest.
I have to say that this has been one of the best purchases I have made for my hair since Wen. Its also super easy. Shampoo and towel dry hair, apply a generous amount of Restorative Hair Mask and go relax for 10 min. No heat necessary (that's the part I think I like the most) just rinse and add Moroccan Oil Treatment to damp hair and style as usual. My hair hasn't been this soft in ages and the oil treatment is made for all types of hair. It absorbs completely, cuts drying time in half, wont weigh your hair down, protects from heat styling and leaves your hair shiny and oh so pretty. The Restorative Hair Mask is $40 and Moroccan Oil Treatment is $39 on Follica.com. Don't skimp either ladies. Get the real stuff. Not all Argan oil products are created equal.

I also went to my favorite nail technician to get my Christmas mani/pedi. Somehow, I managed to forget all the work I would be doing in the kitchen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and of course my poor little nails were chipped almost immediately. Since I have chosen to spend a quiet New Years Eve night in with my wonderful boyfriend, I will not be going back to get a fancy new manicure to make up for the ruined one. This is probably a good idea considering I got a sneak peek at the new OPI Katy Perry line coming out in January. I will just stack my pennies and get my New Year's manicure with some fab new shades.

Speaking of which, there is only one week before the end of 2010 and busy working and social ladies everywhere have their calendars booked. Even if you don't have somewhere to go looking stunning for NYE you should still be fab as you strut into 2011. You want to shine and sparkle like a diamond? Become instantly golden and bubbly for all the world to see? The answer is Cham Pale!!

MAC has a new collection just in time for NYE! Cham Pale is full of golden sparkling tones and shades. 4 new beautiful Lipgelee's ranging from Luxure in pink pearl to Straight to the Head a sparkly bronze. My all time favorite paint pots in Let Me Pop, a Frosted light copper and Dangerous Cuvee, a frosted cool grey.

The line also includes MAC skincare products such as their Complete Comfort Creme that is super hydrating while reducing redness and soothing stressed out skin. There is also an amazing Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 and French Lavender which is tres magnifique!

Even though this line just hit the counters on December 26th, you know that it wont be around very long and trust me this is not a product line you want to miss. Let's toast it up!

All I Want for Christmas!!!

2010-11-26T12:16:00.003-04:00

Sure I haven't started my Christmas list for anyone else but you know that I am already making the list for myself. So greedy, I know, but with so many new shades, scents, appliances and sets to be had I just cant seem to contain myself.

Lets start with the new OPI Burlesque line. Is it wrong that I want every single shade in this collection? I am particularly interested in Tease-Y-Does it the vampy sparkly deep maroon that I am sure will carry me through the holidays in style. OPI also offers 6 of the Burlesque shades in Axxium soak off gel lacquer! I haven't been to see Burlesque yet, but I plan to do so wearing my fabulous OPI movie inspired nail colors.

Second on my list is the most amazing deeply oriental fragrance with notes of Cognac, vanilla, sandalwood and amber. It is everything a winter fragrance should be. Champaca Absolute by Tom Ford. The moment I smelled this, I was in love. I am still trying to figure out what in the world I could sell to get some for myself? No one wants a slightly used 17 year old I guess. Needless to say, that bastion of beautiful things Nieman Marcus carries Tom Ford's Champaca Absolute for a whopping $190.00 for 50ml. Times are tough in Mi Casa what with the boy graduating from High School this year, and venturing off to college, so I will venture a guess and say that this beautiful amazing scent is out of my price range. If you can afford it I highly recommend it. Oh Tom Ford why do you tease me the way you do!

Next on my list is MAC's A Tartan Tale Holiday 2010 collection. Yes I want the whole darn thing. Gorgeous Lip, eye and brush bags, face and nail kits are all featured here and you know when it comes to the holiday's MAC does not disappoint. There are great gifts for everyone or just for yourself in every fab shade of the season. I cant wait to get my hands on the Dazzle the Lads Lip Bag and their 5 Sassy Neutral Lassies Lipglass. I will race you to the counter!

Also, I really want this coat from my favorite online store. Cant you just picture me...I mean it, a chilly DC evening, on her way to dinner with friends, she sweeps out of her chariot (Camry) in cream colored wide leg pants, hair expertly coiffed into a side chignon, black leather gloves, satin blouse and suede peep-toe heels. So very chic. So very poetic city girl with fabulous cape. Okay okay but you know the look, and I want to know it too. The Haworth Coat is $89.99 at ModCloth. I beg of you to leave me one large!

I cant remember if I told you guys the sad sad tale of my Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic flat iron and how after many years of keeping my hair beautifully straight and shiny it met an untimely death due to its cord being repeatedly slammed in a door. We wont get into who was at fault or why they didn't care enough about my most prized possession to make sure the cord was clear of the door before slamming it but needless to say my hair hasn't been the same since. My friend bought me a Chi in attempt to keep my hair from looking like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. While I appreciated the gift, the CHI has one huge fatal flaw. No temperature variation. Once you plug it in, burn is the only setting, and let me tell you, it did burn my hair something vicious.

I have finally decided that it is high time for Santa to bring me my flat iron of choice for Christmas. Now, I am sure you are asking why I haven't just gone and bought the damn thing again after mine quit on me. You know that saying about getting what you pay for? Well, my hair wasn't beautiful and gorgeous for free. That iron costs $159.99 retail, and I don't typically have that type of cash laying around these days. I have to admit though if I had thought this issue through, the cost of hair cuts, oil treatments and everything done to attempt to save my hair probably cost a lot more than the flat iron. The only place I have been able to find it is my beloved Follica.com, so I am certain Santa will be shopping there for my replacement iron.

The last item on my list is probably something I could get up and go to the amazing Beauty Supply store down the block and get, but I always find something else to do with my $40. I was just in there this morning staring at all the wonderful things they sell that I couldn't possibly ever find in one place anywhere else. They have the full Miss Jessie's line of curl products, a whole wall of Sebastian Products including my beloved Cellophane treatment and three shelves of Moroccan Oil Treatment products. Everyone has been raving about Moroccan oil products and I have been meaning to get my hands on them for some time, but I just don't ever seem to get that far. The original Moroccan oil sells for $40 just about everywhere you can find it, including of course Follica.com I hear all sorts of celebrities are on to it now, and I cant think of a better stocking stuffer.

What are some of the get pretty things on your list this year? I am dying to hear what everyone else is asking for and hoping will make their new year super fabulous.

Signs of Spring

2010-02-08T15:05:00.004-04:00

If you are anywhere near the DC Metropolitan area like I am, you are craving any hint of spring. I just spent the last 4 days being burried in and digging out of the blizzard of 2010 or what has been affectionatly trended on twitter as #snOMG and #snotoriousBIG. Spring cant get here fast enough for me, especially since we are expecting another storm tomorrow. So I was just on MAC’s website and their new Spring Colour Forecasts are out. Of course there is a color palate to compliment any MAC girl. Spring Colour Forecast one is filled with beautiful pink shades and forecast 2 is perfect for the girl who loved coral. My friend Erica (who I mention often) is one of those girls. Corals just seem to come to life when she wears them. They are a perfect match for her hair and skin tone. Of course I am completely partial to Colour Forecasts 3 and 4. Forecast 3 is filled with plums and burgundies which I just adore. There is a limited edition eye shadow palate containing shades like Pink Mink, Bruised Plum, Black Tulip and Jungle Moon. Forecast 4 is filled with golden hues of amber and pearl. Of course these shades excite me to no end considering how much I love to incorporate golden tones into everyday wardrobe. There is a fabulous Nail Lacquer called Abalone Shell which I am DYING to get my hands on. You can pick up your own M∙A∙C Spring Colour Forecast Feb 11th, 2010 – April 2010.

In addition we all know that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (no longer in Bryant Park) starts next Friday February 12 to Friday, February 19, 2010. I have only been to Fashion Week once, and it certainly is an experience. MAC has paired with some of their supporters to release MAC & Milk which is an exclusive runway-ready collection of makeup essentials suited to every shade of skin (their words not mine) that I am positive will make for a versatile, face in a flash combo for Fashion Week makeup artists. Great nude and earthy shades of foundation, Mineralize Skinfinish and lipsticks are all present, as well as fabulous bases and skin preparations to enhance any runway look.

I Wonder…..

2010-02-03T20:32:00.004-04:00

I love OPI polish, and you guys already know this just from the numerous posts I have done over the years on their products. This morning I was reading my daily news online and there was a feature on NBC Washington about the new Alice in Wonderland inspired OPI colors. OPI is teaming up with Disney and their remake of Alice in Wonderland (by none other than Tim Burton) starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Anne Hathaway and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. There is a sweepstakes on OPI’s site that you can enter to win all sorts of OPI goodies and JCPenney Salon Gift Certificates too.

There are four fun Alice inspired colors to choose from. Absolutely Alice, Mad as a Hatter, Thanks so Muchness and Off with Her Red! You can even use the virtual “Try it on” program on the OPI website that lets you change your nail length and skin tone so you can get a good idea of what each shade might look like on you. I am personally interested in Mad as a Hatter with its confetti colors and purple undertones. Of course they are only around for a limited time so hurry down the rabbit hole and don't be late! You'll be grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I'm Going In for 2010

2010-01-25T19:08:00.009-04:00

Okay folks I am starting this thing back sort of slow so just bare with me here while I knock off the cobwebs. First I would like to say Happy 2010 and sorry I have been MIA for better than a year. My work life is crazy and I make no promises about continuing to update, but there are some products I feel like I just must address. I have broken the short reviews into two categories. Stuff that works and Stuff that sucks. Sorry but I have limited time and you know I hate BS reviews so here we go.

Stuff that works

WEN by Chaz Dean Fig Cleansing Conditioner

Yeah I know I am tardy for the party on this one, but I love my WEN Fig Conditioning Cleanser. It only took me like 6 months to love it though and I will tell you why. Getting used to the idea of washing my hair with something that would not lather was beyond difficult. I couldn’t imagine it was cleaning anything and in all honesty I just kept using my old shampoo and used the WEN as a conditioner. Well you don’t get results like that and my hair was officially giving me the finger for mixing products. My hair was lifeless, limp, brittle and just downright unruly. So I didn’t start using the stuff in earnest until I ran out of my shampoo. Then I cut my hair and colored it and suddenly WEN became my new best friend. It didn’t strip the color, my hair wasn’t brittle and crazy looking, the frizz completely died down and it honest to god started to shine on its own. I think it was a combination of cutting off all the damage and really using it the way it was intended. My friend Erica was telling me how she likes it as a conditioner but won’t stop using her regular shampoo, and I told her my story. She has the gigantic pump bottle of WEN tea tree and I told her to stop fooling around and use it full time. She promised that she would, so we will see what happens in the near future. I haven’t tried anything else from the styling line yet, but I hope to, oh and you get the best deals on the big bottles on QVC. I have short hair now so it lasts a long time for me, but I can see how if you are rocking a head full of long hair it might not go as far. I highly recommend it and if you do the math you will see that you are probably paying more in shampoo and conditioner than you would for the one bottle of WEN. 32 oz for $44.82 over at QVC.

LOLA by Marc Jacobs

You already know how difficult it is to find a scent that works with your body chemistry right? Some of the fragrances I like seem to disappear the minute I put them on, and other seem so overpowering I just can’t stand myself. I love Lola by Marc Jacobs. Light, floral, complex, wears all day and isn’t the type to make me want to wash my wrists in the bathroom sink at the office. I don’t think perfume should punch anyone in the face should they encounter it, so I always air on the side of less is more. Well, especially since that coworker incident years ago where she was applying 15 sprays every hour. Will this work for you? Maybe, I say go take a sniff and test it out. It’s worth looking into

Sally Hanson Insta-Dri Nail Color

I was highly skeptical of this stuff to start but it works like a charm. Actually if you have someplace to be and you need your nails to look cute in a flash then keep this stuff handy. They have some pretty decent colors (not enough variety though IMO) so I am sure you can find something you like. I actually put it to the test going to work (Job 2) the other day. I managed to put on two coats and roll out in 10 minutes without so much as a chip or a smudge. It held up to the rigors of retail furniture sales and still looked great when I got home 8 hours later. I think of course you could really seal the deal with a great top coat, but you already know that is going to add to the drying time. If you aren’t pressed for time a half hour wait on a top coat isn’t that big a deal and I think it’s a pretty fair trade for not having to wait at all on the polish to dry. This stuff does require you to be pretty quick and neat with it. No fussing and touching up the same nail over and over okay? It just wont work and you will wind up with weird coverage and little globules on your nails. Just paint and move on. You can clean up mistakes on the second swipe I promise. My favorite color is Wine. It would be wouldn’t it? I love all things wine and I guess this is no exception. Its $4.99 at Walgreens and other drugstores. Not too shabby. Next on my list...

Stuff that sucks

Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with NutriumMoisture

I hate to have to do it, because I tell you that I wanted nothing more in this world than to love this stuff but that did not happen. Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with NutriumMoisture is a no thanks. I will pass. Why? Well I picked it up in a trip to Target one day because I was running out of my Olay Body wash. Why lord didn’t I just grab the same stuff I have been using with success for almost a year? I guess being the product junkie I am I couldn’t resist the idea of trying out something new that professed to hold in my skins moisture. It is winter in DC people, so extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure that dry skin does not creep up on you. In its defense (or maybe because I am slow and so busy I don’t know which way is up) I didn’t realize there was a problem for 3 weeks. I guess I was just slightly itchy. I hadn’t changed my detergent, my lotions, my eating habits or used any new perfumes so I was confused. On week three, when I finally couldn’t take the scratching that was leaving raw, I connected the new body wash with my discomfort. I promptly chucked the half filled bottle into the trash and went out and repurchased my Olay. While I was in the store I was chatting with a friend on the phone and told her about the itchy body wash. She has SUPER sensitive skin, and she said that she couldn’t use that stuff at all. I didn’t think it was odd until I came to work and I relayed the itchy body wash story to a coworker, who said “hey, that stuff made me itch too!” okay granted we could have similar skin PH and tolerance but when my told my boyfriend about it he said “I thought it was just me”. Apparently, he hadn’t packed his soap for an overnight stay and had used my “plain looking” Dove in a pinch. I then told this story to my coworker (at the second job) Erin who proceeded to tell me about the rash she got from the same product. Okay so that’s five separate individuals who can’t tolerate this Nutrium stuff. I gotta wonder if they are getting complaints. So, for my purposes Dove with Nutrium is out. I can’t have itchy skin that I want to attack all day and night. I will go back to what I know. I just hope that Dove doesn’t begin to add it to all their body wash products. I really love their products and I know you've seen me write about them here again and again. I am a huge fan of their Go Fresh line and their antiperspirants as well as so many of their other products so I am not down on Dove, I am just down on Nutrium. Sorry Dove, but Nutrium and I are not friends.

Gimme...Gimme: MAC Holiday 2008

2008-11-12T18:48:00.006-04:00

I know I have been MIA recently and I do sincerely apologize but the job that pays the beauty bills has been really kicking my tail!! So I'm back with a huge review of all holiday things MAC!! The leaves are just starting to fall outside but don't let that fool you, the holiday season is on its way! Check out these new MAC Holiday collections on counters now because you simply must scoop them up as fast as you can (no seriously....go).

If you are familiar with MAC's holiday collections, you know that the beautiful compacts filled with rich fabulous colors are snapped up quickly. Let me give you a little preview of what is coming your way this month.

The Passions of Red collection of Lip and Eye compacts are beautiful inside and out. There are 5 eye compacts each glossy and adorned with a sparkling faux jewel are filled with the holiday season's most wearable, fashionable colors.

Devoted Poppy: 6 Classic Eyes

Intriguing Scarlet: 6 Warm Eyes

Infatuating Rose: 6 Cool Eyes

Fascinating Ruby: 6 Smoky Eyes

I love Little Darlings Three Lip and Lustreglass collections, two pigments and an eye pencil collection all dressed up for holiday wear!

5 Coral Lipglass/Lustreglass

5 Pink Lipglass/Lustreglass

5 Neutral Lipglass/Lustreglass

5 Warm Pigments/Glitter

5 Cool Pigments/Glitter

5 Softsparkle/Eye Pencil

I love the Neutral collection which includes the oft sought but rarely found Languish.

The Adoring Carmine collection is a great gift worthy group presented in sleek red satin bags. Choose from three lip color sets or three brush sets to make your holiday season bright.

3 Red Lips

3 Neutral Lips

3 Rose Lips

5 Basic Brushes

4 Face Brushes

5 Eye Brushes

The face brush set even includes a small Duo Fibre Brush which is one of my all time favorites and a makeup case must have. These fabulous collections coupled with the retro chic Red She Said line is sure to bring smiles to the faces of you and your friends. Check out the new Mineralize Eyeshadow Trios and Dazzleglass collections. I am loving Ms. Dynamite Dazzleglass!

Every collection is in your MAC store right now, but you have to hurry before some lucky holiday minded lady scoops them up before you do!

Come To Mama: MAC Lustre Twins...

2008-08-08T11:55:00.003-03:00

This is the last of the new goodies from MAC before the Fall collections start rolling in. This collection is strictly about the lips as it features new Pro LongWear shades that have loads of shimmer and shine. I have always been of the pro longwears and these are even better for me because they are softer (from the shimmer). Already I have my eye on Boss Brown/Slave to Pink that one will fly off the shelves for sure. There are also three nail laquers in this collection and I am LOVING the purple.

Prolongwear Lustre Extensions

Pink Air/White Top
Lustre Light pink with pearl
Top Coat Clear white with red and pink (lustre)

Ripe and Ready/Soft and Lush
Lustre Clean bright pink coral with gold pearl
Top Coat Yellow pink with gold pearl (lustre)

Custom Rose/Pink Virtue
Lustre Berry plum with pearl
Top Coat Light blue pink with silver pearl (lustre)

Gypsy Rose/ Shimmer It
Lustre Berry red with gold pearl
Top Coat White gold with multicoloured pearl (lustre)

Boss Brown/Slave to Pink (TMG FAVE!!)
Lustre Chocolate bronze with pearl
Top Coat Champagne neutral with pearl (lustre)

Red Flame/Orange Flicker
Lustre Intense bright yellow red
Top Coat Bright yellow red with gold pearl (lustre)

Red Reflection/Mirror
Lustre Deep berry magenta with pearl
Top Coat Clear with white pearl (lustre)

Coco Lust/Sexy Sweet (TMG Fave!)
Lustre Deep red brown
Top Coat Copper brown with gold pearl (lustre)

Alta Moda/Hip Love
Lustre Deep blackened red
Top Coat Deep plum with red pearl

Suggested Retail Price: $20.00 U.S./$24.00 CDN

NAIL LACQUER

$$$$$ Yes Mettallic silver foil
Perplexing Deep blue purple
Firehouse Clean bright chrome red

Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Available NOW at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.387.6707 and www.maccosmetics.com.

MORE from MAC!! Starflash...

2008-08-07T11:00:00.003-03:00

Be still my heart...more?? MORE?? How can it be? Yes more MAC collections are on the way ladies. This one is just a mini collection but I love it all the same. Starflash is a collection of powder shadows that are finely milled for an ultra smooth consistency PLUS just a hint of shimmer. I can rock these with any of the shadows I already have - they would be great as a highlighter or an accent shade!

Star by Night Frosty midtone blue
Talent Pool Frosty blue green with gold pearl (TMG FAVE!!)
Smoke & Diamonds Frosty dirty taupe
Top Hat Frosty dirty indigo
Lotusland Frosty pinky lavender with gold pearl
Sunset B. Frosty clean midtone pink
Bold & Brazen Frosty light copper
Grand Entrance Frosty neutral peach beige
Glamour Check! Frosty reddish brown
Mink & Sable Frosty olive green
Dreammaker Frosty yellow gold
Go Frosted bronze

Starflash is currently available at MAC counters nationwide and online at maccosmetics.com.

Coming Soon: MAC Cult of Cherry...

2008-08-04T11:31:00.008-03:00

Y'all know how I feel about MAC right? Well when I say that I want EVERY ITEM IN THIS COLLECTION it is by no means an exaggeration. The shades are INSANE...so perfect for fall plus I love that along with the requisite dark smoky shades there are shots of color.

Lipstick
Crème Cerise Sheer yellow taupe (lustre) (TMG Fave)
Lightly Ripe Sheer mid-tone pink (lustre)
Russian Red Intense bluish red (matte)
“O” Intense purplish red with metallic gold (frost)
So Scarlet Clean grape burgundy (amplified) (TMG Fave)

Lipglass
Cherry Blossom Sheer light pink with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Rich & Ripe Mid-tone pinkish red with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Cult of Cherry Clean red with red pearl (frost)
Liqueur Neutral brownish mauve with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Jampacked Sheer grape with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Mattene
Rapturous Deep berry red (matte)
Kirsch Blackened cranberry (matte) (TMG Fave)
Chock-ful Blackened brown (matte) (TMG Fave)
Bing Blackened eggplant (matte)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

Powder Blush
Blooming Frosted deep dirty peach (frost)
Plum de Bois Frosted deep pink bronze with gold pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $17.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Silverstruck Frosty greyed taupe with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Illegal Purple Creamy blackened eggplant (cream)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Zoom Lash
Zoom Black Rich black
Suggested Retail Price: $11.00 U.S./$13.00 CDN

Eye shadow X4 – Spiced Chocolate Quad
Nanogold Sheer yellow pink with pink pearl (frost)
Brash Frosty reddish copper (vxp)
Spiced Chocolate Dirty deep reddish brown (matte)
Sweet Chestnut Frosted cranberry (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN

Eye shadow X4 – Tempting Quad
Next to Nothing Sheer yellow beige with pink pearl (frost)
Sharp Frosty bright yellow gold (satin)
Dark Edge Dirty chocolate brown (satin)
Tempting Rich coco (lustre)
Suggested Retail Price: $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN

Eye shadow X4 – Shadowy Lady Quad
Light Fall Dirty light pink (satin)
Smudge Violet Frosty blackened lavender with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Deep Truth Very dark blue (frost)
Shadowy Lady Darkly veiled plum (matte)
Suggested Retail Price: $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN

MAC Cult of Cherry collection is available beginning September 2008 at all MAC locations and online at maccosmetics.com.

Nivea Goodbye Cellulite Challenge!!

2008-06-25T11:30:00.006-03:00

About a month ago I got the opportunity to try out Nivea’s One Month Goodbye Cellulite Program and I am here to tell you all about the results. When I received the program I was a little nervous about it. I have tried firming creams, and cellulite reducers and I have had minimal to no luck with them. Wishful thinking does not produce results, so I went in to this test full of both hope and skepticism.

The program consists of three separate but conjoined products that work together to reduce the appearance of cellulite in 4 weeks. It includes the Good-bye Cellulite Gel cream, and the NIVEA body Good-bye Cellulite Capsules. I wanted to attempt to take the capsules, but honestly, I just can’t take any old pill because my skin is hyper-sensitive and anything is liable to set it off. So I left that part of the program to my dear friend Erica. I decided to go straight for the NIVEA body Good-bye Cellulite Patches. This is something that I can totally handle. They instructed that 2 to 3 times a week I should adhere the patches to the portions of my skin that had cellulite. I admit that after a winter of pretty much not working out at all, I went a little overboard. I had those patches everywhere. I looked like a big band-aid but I happily went to bed with my cellulite patches on hoping for the best.

Here is a breakdown of the progress:

Patches - Me

Week 1

No change

Week 2

Small difference

Got stuck to bedsheets

Reduced the amount of patches

Week 3

Smoother Appearance

Brave enough to entertain wearing shorts

Week 4

Dramatic difference

Bought shorts for the first time in 5 years and didn’t cry

Wore them last weekend

Cream & Pills - Erica

Week 1

No change

Week 2

Small change stopped taking pills, felt they upset her stomach

Week 3

Smoother Appearance

Not dramatic though

Week 4

Liked the firmness

Thought perhaps the pills & cream worked harder together.

Overall Results For Both Products

The results are overall very positive for something that can be purchased over the counter. We would both recommend giving them a shot as we would definitely use them again.

BEAUTY DUTY LINKS - 6/17/2008

2008-06-17T10:57:00.004-03:00

It is my DUTY to tell you about these happening posts from around the web in beauty this week...

A Touch of Blusher looks at YSL's fall 2008 makeup collection.

All About the Pretty is really enjoying her new Soap & Paper Factory Fig Soap.

Beautiful Makeup Search asked some beauty blogger friends' what their three must-have Summer products are - check out their suggestions!

KRiSTOPHER gets her skin as smooth as a 12-year-old Eastern Euro model’s butt, with MD Skincare

Preview Prescriptives Fall 2008 collection DARING at Makeup Bag.

Makeup Moxie is buzzing over the new Lancome Oscillation Mascara.

Product Girl is loving Essie's new Neon collection, it's full of eye popping color.

SugarShock Beauty is loving Zooey Deschanel's on-trend yet vaguely retro look.

Rice To The Rescue??? We Will See About That!

2008-06-15T20:38:00.008-03:00

So I am sure you have all heard me cry about the fact that many eons ago I was in love with Rice Bran Body Scrub from The Body Shop. I even gave it a sad send off in my Gone But Not Forgotten catagory. I havent ever been able to find anything remotely close to this product in years. That was until about a month ago, when I was reading a beauty review in my local paper about a product called Rice to the Rescue, I had to investigate!

Of course I am thinking that this is just wayyyy too good to be true and there is no way in the world that someone heard my prayers and re-incarnated my beloved scrub. I went out to find it the very same day at Bath and Body Works.

Rice to the Rescue is a part of their True Blue Spa line which I like and have used in many different product forms. I am a believer in their "Look Ma New Hands" which I keep in my purse faithfully. It gently moisturizes without being greasy and it absorbs completely. They also have my favorite vacation/travel body wash and lotion called "Tahiti Sweetie" and "Be More Pacific".

So it was described as a rice pudding body polish, which I think is an accurate discription. Not quite as hard working as my old scrub, but it produces virtually the same results. Super soft-non greashy skin, great moisture and a heavenly scent. Sure, its softer and requires a little more work in the elbow grease department, but it does the trick.

I am just happy to have a product that is similar to my dear old friend. In addition, Bath & Body Works is having a massive sale so when you buy any TWO products from True Blue line, you can get TWO free! But you better hurry, the sale ends Sunday June 22.

Explosive Discovery

2008-06-15T20:16:00.005-03:00

So last week I made my monthly pilgrimage to the MAC store to get my all time favorite foundation Studio Tech. I took my friend Erica and of course we were looking at all the great new summer products that MAC has to offer, when I noticed this little tub of black goo. I couldn't figure out what the stuff was at first, so I sent Erica over to inspect.

She opened the jar and seemed intrigued. A minute later she returned and said that it was a Volcanic Ash Exfoliant. Now I have tried plenty of exfoliants, and plenty of products that contain volcanic ash, but never the two combined.

My gracious MAC associate came over and demonstrated its powers on the back of my hand. A little water, a little exfoliant and a quick gentle rub or two. I was concerned at first because I have sensitive skin and though I love some of the dermabrasion properties of exfoliants, some can just be way too harsh.

The product started sort of gritty but vanished into a sort of smooth mud like consistency. Once I removed the remaining product, I was left with buttery baby soft skin and at that moment I was a believer. It was fabulous. Of course I bought a jar and it is amazing trust me when I tell you. I did a little research and found out that its a blend of natural Volcanic Ash with fine sugar crystals from the islands of Vanuatu.

The MakeupGirl and I were discussing it this weekend and she was telling me her experience with the Volcanic Ash Exfoliant and how soft it had made her elbows. Basically neither of us could say enough about how great this product is. Its just one of the fabulous products in MAC's new Future Earth line, which also includes Prep&Prime microfine lip refinisher and Charged Water hydrating mist.

Its just in time for summer and perfect to instantly soften your skin. I don't know how long it will be around so I am going to purchase another jar ASAP. Join me wont you.

Go Nude

2008-02-24T22:09:00.007-04:00

So MAC has a few new collections that I have been toying with over the last few weeks. The first is their new N collection which is N for nude. I have always tried to wear makeup without looking like I was completely made up. I love a great nude lip and even more a great flawless finish face without adding too much color. You can still stop traffic without going all out, and with this collection you'll do just that.

I spent a little time getting to know the N collection of lip sticks, lip glasses, liners and shadows by having the most trusted critics I know test them out. Of course I mean my girlfriends and my family members, because let me tell you these ladies know their stuff and wont have their heads turned by just any old cosmetic. While my mother and her sisters were excited about the prospect of creating soft beautiful looks with neutral natural colors, my friends were instantly skeptical. They were looking for that pop and wow factor that shine and color give you especially here in the dead of winter. No one wanted to look any more washed out than the complections that winter had already given them. They were to say the least, not amused.

I was persistent though, and I tried to impart the beauty that could be achieved by simply accenting ones own natural tones and colors. The great thing about this line is that its not just nude. It isn't made to wash you out, it incorporates tons of shine and understated color to give you the fresh faced beauty we all crave.

Take for instance the instant love of 3N lipglass. Everyone and I do mean everyone of every skin tone that I tested this on was instantly in love. Darker tones were given a subtle coffee creme gloss with a hint of rose. Lighter skin tones love how beautifully natural it made their lips look, like a beautiful soft stained rose.

The paint pots as always were an instant hit, and Quite Natural was the fave of the group. There are five great lipsticks and everyone found their perfect shade easily. The shadows of course were the biggest hit, my personal favorite which I have worn almost every single day since I got it is Rich Flesh. Just a hint of color, which I wear during the day as my primary eye color and at night to add a soft dramatic accent.

MAC has thought of everything with this line, and not just from a color standpoint. They also introduced the N Collection for face, which includes beautiful new natural Mineralize Skinfinishes. Gorgeous matte, translucent color which goes on soft and is great for touching up or giving you that fabulous neutral glow.

I know I always say you have to try this stuff but I am serious about this. I absolutely love it. I don't know how long its going to be around, so of course I have stocked up, but so should you. Go by the MAC store, give it a try and don't be afraid to go nude, your natural beauty will thank you.

Moisture Maximum

2008-02-02T22:24:00.000-04:00

Oh I am so sorry for being missing in action for so long! I was without internet access for what seemed like an eternity. But you folks dont want to hear about that do you? No, you want to hear all about the wonderful goodies that I have been trying and using and loving over the past few months right?

Well first, let me tell you that its been so extra cold here on the east coast, and without a few wonderful products I possibly wouldnt have made it this far. Everyone knows that its important to moisturize, but that isnt just for your lovely faces. I have had my share of moisturizers for face and body over the years but very few have been able to effectivly do the job. Either they are way too heavy and wind up breaking me out, or they are too thin and I feel dry and cracked before I can get out of the house. We all know that well moisturized skin can keep foundation flawless and perfect for hours so let me tell you about a few that I love in several different price ranges.

First, for my oil-free and sensitive skin ladies who are prone to breakouts I highly reccomend Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. Its what I have used for years and it has SPF 15 which we all need whether its summer or winter to protect our skin. It hydrates and absorbs clean, without clogging pores and causing any winter skin trauma. You can purchase it from your favorite drugstore or Drugstore.com for $10.99.

Also, for a great low cost alternative, you should also try out ProActive Solution Oil Free Moisture. Its a very light weight soft and clean formula that coupled with the Proactive family of products will keep away those pesky blemishes that we always worry about. My skin is always soft and healthy feeling when I use it and my makeup goes on perfectly over it. Its never oily and never sticky feeling. You can purchase it from Proactiv's website or even in the mall. They now have kiosks everywhere but prices may vary of course. You can also purchase it directly from QVC for $27.00.

On the higher end of the scale is MAC's new MoistureLush cream. Talk about lush, this silky smooth hydrating cream creates an amazing barrier against the elements. Its not heavy or thick but it feels amazing and softens skin all day long. It primes, hydrates and in combination with Mousturelush eyecream, lifts, firms and rejuvinates. You can use them day or night for wonderfully soft and beautiful skin. You can get both now at your local MAC store or online. MAC Moisturelush Cream retails for $30.00 and MoistureLush Eye Cream retails for $$28.50.

Last but certianly not least is Elizabeth Arden's new Prevage anti aging night cream which not only hydrates but its night-time formula with has a time released blend of high performance moisturizers to infuse skin and boost skin's repair process. This stuff is absolutly on the high end of the moisturizer scale at $125.00 retail, but I know that some of you wont bat an eyelash at the price. I was very plesantly surprised by the results that I achieved in two weeks of use. I havent had great luck with night creams and have in the past tried to avoid using them to to how greasy and heavy some of them have been, but this one is very light and I didnt wake up itchy, flaky or broken out. I do have to alert you to the fact that this is a cream you need to do an allergy test on, so please do so like the package suggests. You can buy Prevage on Elizabeth Arden's website or at your Elizabeth Arden counter.

Stay soft, stay pretty and always moisturize!

Holiday Cheer - 2007 Collections

2007-12-04T20:18:00.000-04:00

So you know its that time of year right? You also know because you have been peeking around in your favorite stores that the holiday goodies are out, and what in the world would the holidays be without MAC's Holiday Collections???

Okay so we all know how much I love MAC products because I consistently blog about them here, but I have been buying MAC's holiday collections for years both for myself and for my closest friends. The holidays are my favorite time of year and I just adore giving gifts. This year MAC has outdone themselves with a sleek and stylish collection of fabulous holiday delights. I have to say that the packaging this year goes so far above and beyond beautiful. Each set, compact, and clutch is so beautifully crafted. Any lady would love to receive these attractive gift sets.

The first collection is Finery. The Finery line of stylish little cream colored woven clutches include four gorgeous lip sets in Plum, Coral, Tan and Pink. Each set includes two Lipsticks, and a Lipglass in a complementary shade. Each set is fun and compact which is great for quick touch ups and the bag is so extra cute.

The second collection is Curiositease. This collection is filled with great mini color sets. Just perfect for the girl that has everything. There are Warm and Cool Lipglass and Lustreglass sets as well as a set of Plushglass colors and 5 Softsparkle Pencils. There are also two pigment sets in Warm and Cool colors. They are all exquisitely packed in beautiful cylinder just pretty enough to display on your vanity.

Another great set is the Heirlooms Brush set. There are three medium clutch bags filled with MAC's to die for brush collections. There is a Face Brush set that includes 4 professional face brushes, an Eye Brush set with 5 great eye brushes and a Basic Brush set filled with 5 fab brushes. Did I mention how much I love these little clutches? Its bad enough I love the colors and collections so much, but now I want to purchase them all for myself and my friends.

These are just three of the great Holiday Collections that MAC has to offer and since I know your days to the Holiday are counting down, I wanted to give you some ideas. Tomorrow we can discuss the other three great Holiday Collections from MAC. Viva Glamorous Lips, Royal Assets and the very extravagant Antiquitease. I am going to get you through your holiday's with great gifts for your friends and maybe a special thing for you to take home too. Hey its the Holiday's don't you deserve something great also? I think so.

Beauty Duty: December 4, 2007

2007-12-04T08:39:00.000-04:00

A Touch of Blusher gets Dior (for Free) with a...... Find out what!

Beautiful Makeup Search is giving away The House of Miracles Set from Philosophy to five lucky readers. Click on over to enter and hopefully be one of the five lucky ones!

KRiSTOPHER gets you VIP access to online, one-day-only sample sales.

Ellen from Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint adores the Royal Assets Collection from MAC, and is sure you will too!

Makeup Bag shows us a sneak peak of the Guerlain Spring 2008 Color Collection.

Lotion Before Lingerie: Makeup Moxie slips into Body Silk by Bond No. 9.

Product Girl is interviewing celebrity makeup artist Billy B. Want to ask him a question? Find out how.

TheMakeupGirl gives you her hot beauty gifts for under $25.

WE LOVE BEAUTY wants you to VOTE for Look of the Month: November!

Aid Your Nails

2007-11-28T20:30:00.000-04:00

I know I typically dont post very much about nail care, but I do actually care about it and think that its a part of everyday beauty. I however decided that for my best friend's wedding back in August that I would get acrylic tips. What a royal mistake for my poor little nails. They were so thin and brittle after I removed the acrylic nails, and I feared they would never get back to their original beauty.

I decided that I would try out some new products for my nails because I couldnt even get nailpolish to stay on them after the acrylic debacle. I started using Nail-aid nail products to try to get them back to their old selves.

I used their Grow Tougher formula for think weak nails for several weeks and noticed a considerable change in the way my nails looked and felt. Though I still had to grow out the weaker areas it helped to keep the nails that I did have strong enough to withstand my daily duties.

I also tried out the Clear Liquid Bandage for broken nail repair. Think of it like a thin brush on glue that dries quickly and never needs buffing. That was actually wonderful, especially since it seemed like every time they would grow a little I would get a break in the corner.

They also have a great Cuticle Cure that softens dry cracked cuticles and you know that this time of year its imperitave that you keep those cuticles smooth. The weather change usually ruins my nailbeds but this year I can confidently use my Cuticle Cure to keep them beautiful.

All of nail-aid's formulas are Formaldehyde and Tolune free which I think is wonderful and they provide a 100% guarantee on every product they make. I figure that you can't possibly go wrong with that.

So now that winter is officially here, my nails are beautiful strong and protected. Each product is only $6.50 and they offer seven great formulas and free shipping on their website. Check it out for yourself, your nails will thank you.

Beauty Duty: November 6, 2007

2007-11-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

A Touch of Blusher on Mascaras: You Mean That's NOT Real?

Beautiful Makeup Search shares what she loves about MAC's Viva Glamorous palettes.

GlamBlush: Lindsay Lohan loves living life as a blonde. We’re just calling her Goldilocks.

Kristopher wants you to wrap yourself up as your own Kwanzannukah gift, with these bowed Christian Louboutin shoes.

Lipstick Powder-n-Paint loves Benefit Cosmetics Here are some of the newest additions.

You're going to want to add this NARS lipgloss to your Christmas list! Come check it out over at Make Her Up.

There's hair issues over at Makeup Bag...

Want to try Mario Bandescu's skincare products? Product Girl tells you how.

TheMakeupGirl's November contest has her giving away a full set of Billy B's fantastic makeup brushes!

WE LOVE BEAUTY.COM and Celebrity Makeup Artist Paul Starr, show you how to get Mariah Carey's look from Glamour Magazine.

Wedding Day Bliss

2007-10-31T11:00:00.000-03:00

My best girlfriend got married at the end of August, and of course she hired my sis The Makeup Girl to do the makeup for the bridal party. I know I have been promising this post for a while, but wedding photos were slow coming. You know quality photos take time! Its been a long time since I was in a wedding, and let me tell you that I had almost forgotten how crazy the set up for a wedding can be.

First, I have to say that without the considerable talent of The Makeup Girl, we would have all been in hot water. We had an issue at the salon the previous evening that caused us to get home at 4am the day of the wedding. Needless to say we were all pretty worn out, and none of us had the beautiful glow of a bride or her bridal party.

The Makeup Girl is amazing at making your true beauty shine through (even if you have only had 3 hours of sleep) and at her disposal were some tools that I now simply can not live without. Remember when I told you how much I loved two of MAC's new lines? Painterly and MAC in 3D? Well they were a godsend for this beautiful wedding, and let me show you why.

The greatest test of makeup is how long it can last without reapplication. Since there were 7 faces to do, and 5 of those needed to be as uniform as possible, she went with MAC's Studio Stick foundation applied with a brush only in the areas where we needed it, the skin looked flawless and not cakey. She finished with Loose Blot Powder. On the eyes she used Rubenesque Paint Pot which looks great on just about everyone (I know it looked great on all of us and we are all different shades!), Honeylust all over the entire lid, Folie shadow in the crease, Powerpoint waterproof liner in Stubborn Brown on the upper and lower lash line which she blended like crazy and made it have a smokey type look. Then on to the cheeks, She used MAC's Powder Blush, the lighter skinned girls got Coppertone, while the darker ones got Raizin. On the lips she used a stain first then followed with MAC's Pencil Liner's. There were so many different shades of us that she ended up using many different shades among them are Spice, BBQ, Cork & Chestnut. All of us got the same shade of MAC Lipstick a lovely Bronze shade called Shag. Finished with 3D Lipglass in Energy. Just look at the results.

MAC's Painterly Paint Pots have been added to this years product line, so you can get your very own in store or online, but MAC's 3D Lipglass is limited edition, and you know you have to have that so don't wait okay. Its bad enough I made you all wait almost 3 months for this post but when I say I am going to show you real results I mean just that.

Elegant Fall

2007-10-31T09:30:00.000-03:00

So I've been told that the newest fall trend isn't the shine we all seemed to covet this summer. The latest look is all about matte finish cosmetics, and of course you know who has that whole trend on lock.

MAC's new Matte2 and Mattene lines are a great way to get into the fall flawlessly. Matte2, which is a combination of high intensity pigments and matte textures brings out the beauty in fall eyes with colors that beautifully pair with those cool weather fashions.

There are 16 crease free flat texture shades to love (several of which incorporate fall's "IT" shade purple) and range from the brightest of berries in Post Haste to the richest of Aqua's in Clarity.

I know folks are afraid of color, but there is no reason to shy away from these beautiful shades. My new loves are Copperplate which is a muted mid-tone grey. This one goes so well with my collection of beautiful grey sweaters and skirts. I get a ton of compliments on it. I also love the silky smooth tone of Handwritten, which is a rich chocolate brown. This was a perfect match for my beautiful camel sweater coat and wide-leg chocolate brown pants. Flourishing, which is a rich moss green is the greatest for a hint of color that works well with my fall khaki's and sweaters.

In addition there are 5 great new Liquidlast Liners that are perfect to pair with the Matte2 eye colors. They are all waiting for you right at the MAC counter and of course online and you know you have the best fall outfit just waiting for that right pop of color that makes you stand out from the crowd.

Now ladies, I ask you what are fabulous eyes without a flattering lip color? You wouldn't leave your house half dressed so why leave with just the Matte2 line? Mattene is the perfect match for that great fall eye color. I was instantly in love with its new sleek and slim design. I love all things vintage, and these instantly reminded me of the 1940's glamour.

Of course I was immediately partial to Classic Dame, which I think is the perfect shade of red. I was so excited to test this one out with a great menswear inspired suit and spike heel oxford pumps. Not only is the color amazing but its long lasting and I didn't find myself having to re-apply. Its flawless matte finish lasted for hours without feathering and my lips were soft and supple.

I also love Flattering, which lives up to its name in a beige pink and Cafe Matte which I can pair with almost any look for a beautiful finished lip. They are super wearable and moisturizing. 16 great Mattene shades await you at MAC so please don't wait. Fall is here and these colors wont last.

Beauty Duty: October 30, 2007

2007-10-30T14:48:00.001-03:00

A Touch of blusher asks, "Why are anti-aging products getting more expensive?"

See why Beautiful Makeup Search is in love with Bobbi Brown's new palette system.

Kristopher explains why a Louis Vuitton bum bag puts you in a classic position. Lewd wink.

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint says Fashion, Fragrance and now Face... Calvin Klein has it all.

Makeup Bag shows us Seven Reds in Seven Days.

Product Girl plays with false lashes for the first time... and loves it.

TheMakeupGirl Shows us how to wear MAC pigment in her Face of The Day Series

WE LOVE BEAUTY's Exclusive Giveaway: Smashbox Limited-Edition Photo Finish Lipstick for IOC

Beauty Weekend

2007-10-28T16:36:00.000-03:00

This weekend a few of my friends came to town for one of my best buddies birthday. Its always a great time when we get together and especially when we have something to celebrate. We truly eat, drink and be merry when we visit, but the one thing that we always do is trade beauty rituals. These ladies are all different, with different tastes in cosmetics, fragrance and styles but there is one thing we can all agree on, and that's Sephora.

When last we were all together we spent so much time in Sephora I thought they might actually put us all out of there. They didn't, but we were everywhere in that store. Jae was all over the fragrance section, Lucy was having a ball with the lip glosses. Pep and I spent an unreasonable amount of time checking out the mascara and eye shadows, and Dot was enjoying everything in the bath and body section. We all left with full bags and big smiles.

This weekend they all came over to spend some quality time with me and my mom but it wasn't long before we started digging in our bags and checking out what was new and hot for fall. I had the opportunity to let the girls give two new fragrances a test run. The new men's and women's Diesel Fuel For Life fragrances.

I believe that perfume can be so different on the skin than it is in the bottle, and while some fragrances really come to life on some, they can really fall flat on others. We started with the women's scent which comes in a beautiful oval shaped bottle with a unique crocheted cover. Its girly without being over the top, and everyone agreed it was a very cool marketing technique.

Diesel Fuel For Life por femme is a very light fragrance that bears a slightly oriental introduction with a more fragrant citrus top note. This of course was right up Jae's alley. She took to the scent immediately and it was a definite match for her body chemistry. We agreed that while it was clearly a citrus scent, it reminded us slightly of Clinique's Happy but a little more complex. Not quite as sweet but definitely as wearable.

We also tried out the men's fragrance which also has a great package. Its covered in a ultra masculine distressed leather pouch. We were all really feeling how they chose to present both fragrances. Now, I know that may sound strange to some of you, but I love to test out men's fragrance not just for the special man in my life but for myself. The girls all agreed that Diesel por homme was an amazing scent.

Deep and sensual without being strong or overpowering. In fact, one of my favorite men's fragrances that works so well as a woman's perfume is Prada por homme. Its beautiful, and I still cant figure out why it is so much more floral than the women's Prada fragrance. I wont be wearing Diesel por homme, but it is a great scent for men.

I would highly recommend testing them both out. I know that citrus fragrances aren't for everyone but its worth going to check out. The men's fragrance seemed wonderful for just about any guy, but you know that body chemistry rule applies to men too.

Of course you can go visit our favorite fragrance outpost to sample both. Sephora has them online if you are sure you want to just snatch them up, and of course in the store because you might want to buy some other stuff while you are there of course.

Beauty Duty: October 2, 2007

2007-10-02T10:33:00.000-03:00

Here are the best posts in beauty over the past week...

A Touch of Blusher: First Look at the NEW Calvin Klein Beauty Line

African Pride is launching a new herbal relaxer and has offered free giveaways to 25 OBE readers!

Beautiful Makeup Search explores the latest from MAC, including Plush Lash and an entire collection of lashes.

Make Her Up asks, "With all of the recent drama, will anyone be buying Britney Spears latest fragrance??"

Kristopher plays "Hyde or Seek" at a party with her boy.

Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint asks why does Courteney Cox love Kinerase?

StyleDash has Top Secrets from Beauty Buyer Robin Coe Hutshing

TheMakeupGirl’s latest contest is here…Calling All Philosophy Girls!!

Demi, Reese, Jessica, Heidi...vote for look of the month at We Love Beauty

Cool Weather and Beautiful Colors

2007-09-26T15:00:00.000-03:00

So as fall approaches I find myself tasked with changing over my cosmetics from Summer to Fall. I am actually very excited about this because I am just dying to try out some of the hot new fall colors. Of course my favorite company is one step ahead with their new fall collections.

The first is Blue Storm, containing the most beautiful deep blues, grays and shimmering silvers. Each color more complementary than the last ushers in fall with cool elegance. There are three new Tinted Lipglasses to choose from, two of which incorporate fall's new "it" color purple.

There are also five great new shadows that I adore. Ladies do not be afraid to incorporate blue shadows into your look. This isn't 1980 and you aren't trying to match your eyes with your acid washed denim. Its all about the blending, highlighting and sheer beauty of working a great fall shadow.

Also there are two new eye pencils in Feline, a chrome pearl black that glides on easy and soft and Mystery, a luxurious teal with a pearl finish and two new nail lacquers in Whirlwind and Rainy Day.

The other must have collection for fall is Smoke Signals. I was in my MAC store the other day and saw what a hit this collection has become. This year's new eyeshadow quads are extraordinary. They have managed to incorporate the beautiful smokey tones, and rich colors of fall into two stand out pallets. The first, Gentle Fume works four cool tones in subtle grays and blues, while Smoking Eyes incorporates fall's warm glow with beautiful neutrals.

There are 5 new Lipsticks in warm coral's, creamy neutrals, with stunning pearl finishes. They are guaranteed to be fabulous for fall as well as the four new Lipglasses in complementary tones. These you can wear with your favorite Smoke Signal Lipstick or with a liner. I am partial to Bare Truth with a Cork pencil and its creamy Carmel finish is just perfect for a great day look.

There are several other items in the collection that are definitely worth a look. Two great powder blushes, and two new powder eye pencils that I had to wrestle away from my best friend. There are three new pigments, but of course my favorite is the aubergine influenced Smoke Signal which goes so well with my pretty new knit dress and two new nail lacquers that I immediately tried out. Wild Fire which is a gorgeous deep plummy black and Nocturnelle, a high gloss deep black polish that falls right in line with fall. I love a great dark nail color as the weather gets cooler.

Of course you know I am going to tell you that these collections are only going to stick around for a little while. So go fill your fall makeup bag fast.

You can find both collections online or at your favorite MAC store or counter.

What are you waiting for? Fall is here honey, don't you dare wait.

Beauty Duty: September 25, 2007

2007-09-25T14:54:00.000-03:00

It is my Beauty Duty to keep you informed...here are last weeks picks for the best on the web...

A Touch of Blusher takes a first look at YSL Holiday 2007 Collection...

Style Dash says these new razors are blades of (un) glory...

GlamBlush has a candid chat with P. Diddy about his newest scent for women Unforgivable...

Kristopher's a working girl when her nightie for day time doesn't get the job done...

Lipstick Powder & Paint is all about the boys with the art of shaving...

See a preview of Chanel's holiday collection at MakeupBag...

WE LOVE BEAUTY.COM Giveaway: 100 pieces of BENEFIT Her Glossiness lip gloss.

Beauty Biology

2007-09-18T13:30:00.000-03:00

Okay Ladies, so you know every once in a while I give you the scoop on something extra fab with a extra high price tag. Today would be that day. You know I am all about giving you the real deal on things you can afford, and I know some of you ladies are doing extra big things on your day jobs, so perhaps its just little old me that cant afford certain products.

I was given the opportunity to test out a facial serum a few weeks ago that is made from marine enzymes from the coastal shores of Iceland. I know, I scratched my head too, but give me a moment to clarify. Dr. Bragi, a professor of Biochemistry at the University of Iceland developed this patented age management marine enzyme serum to combat the signs of aging.

Just a small amount daily helps to smooth and refine skins surface cells. It moisturizes and removes dull surface cells while helping to relieve inflammation and irritations. I am always so nervous about skin serums because I have such sensitive skin, but I had no trouble using the Marine Enzyme serum. It was very gentle to my skin and I didn't break out from it at all. Apparently its both artificial additive and chemical free and non-greasy which is always where I seem to have the most problems with skin products.

According to Dr. Bragi's website the enzyme is found in the depths of the ocean where temperatures are extremely low, so it becomes super-active when warmed by body heat, making its able to penetrate deep into skin. I did find that after a week my skin was noticeably smoother and softer. I don't know about its wrinkle reduction ability, as I don't have any wrinkles yet, but I am sure if I did they would be greatly reduced....I hope.

So, now you are thinking about where you might be able to get this wonderful serum. Well first, let me point out that its great, but I suggest requesting a sample of it from Dr. Bragi's website before you go plunk down your money. You can purchase the Marine Enzyme at Bliss.com for $240. Now, I couldn't tell from either website just how much serum you get for your money, as they didn't give a quantity in ounces, but perhaps I just overlooked it.

If you want to do a little more reading on Dr. Bragi or his Marine Enzyme you can check it out here. http://www.drbragi.com/

Enjoy!

Real Beauty At The Emmy's

2007-09-17T14:30:00.000-03:00

Last night the Emmy's were on and as Award shows go, they were entertaining. Every year I tune in to catch the red carpet, and see what the stars are wearing. From the jewels to the gowns everyone is perfectly coiffed...well almost everyone, but that's not important. I am always interested in who's hair and makeup is flawless, but this year I was particularly interested in one person.

I got word about two weeks ago that the super talented and naturally gorgeous Ali Larter from Heroes had teamed up with Dove and their Campaign for Real Beauty and was going to do her own hair for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy® Awards this year using Dove Hair Care products. I have to tell you that when I heard about it I was a little nervous for her, but seeing as how I know first hand that Dove has great hair products, I figured she couldn't go wrong. Not only did she want to take a stand for "real beauty" but she chose Dove to help her convey that message to the public.

In an interview with Dove about her upcoming appearance on the Emmy's, Ali said "There is a lot of work that goes into Hollywood hair and I want women to know that it is unrealistic for every day." "I am going to go out on a limb by doing my own hair for the Emmys without any stylists. I am going to use Dove Hair Care products for five days, get my hair in great shape and I am going to rock the red carpet. I am doing all of this to help women realize the potential of their own hair and feel more confident every day."

What a great positive message for women and girls everywhere, and what a glowing endorsement for Dove Hair Care. So, last night I tuned in to the red carpet to see just what would come of Ali's promise. Of course she looked amazing. Her hair was beautiful, healthy and shiny and wow that dress! She didn't try to make it difficult, or super intricate. She just went with a beautiful sleek look that accentuated her beauty. I looked this morning and she was listed on many of the Emmy's "Best Dressed" lists and I wasn't surprised, see for yourself.

This is a list of the Dove products that helped Ali produce her show stopping tresses for the red carpet.

Advanced Color Care Shampoo for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Advanced Color Care Conditioner for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Advanced Color Care Luminizing Mist for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Body & Lift Volumizing Mousse
Smooth & Soft Anti-Frizz Finishing Cream
Flexible Hold Hairspray (Aerosol)

All of these Dove products are available to every woman whether you are creating a red carpet look of your own, or you just want beautiful shiny hair. I love that Dove is so affordable too so that I don't spend my entire paycheck trying to get cute. Of course I've said it before but I am a huge fan of Dove products because they are simple and effective, and of course you know I love anything that makes my life easier.

Also, check out http://www.doveloveyourhair.com.Dove is running an online ad contest. Just upload a photo of yourself and answer a few questions about hair. You'll create your own print ad that might be selected to run in Hearst magazines this fall. Just think, you could be the face of "real beauty" too. Enjoy!

The MAC Backstory

2007-08-27T13:15:00.000-03:00

I know you hear me talk about MAC products a lot, and of course today's post is no exception. I have to give you a little background to appreciate why I spend so much time going on and on about MAC.

There was a time in the mid ninety's when you dear blogger buddy Avin wore no makeup. I know its hard to believe but I was seriously cosmetically challenged. Not because I didn't think that cosmetics were beautiful, it was simply because I could never seem to find the right shade to compliment my skin tone. I spent previous years with drugstore foundations that were too goopy, too cakey and either too orange or pink to pass as beautiful healthy skin. It wasn't until 2001 when I decided to try again.

One day, completely on a whim, I was drawn over to the MAC counter. I had a fabulous party to attend, and not a stitch of makeup to make my look come alive. I had toyed with the idea of purchasing products from MAC, but I must admit that I was just plain intimidated by the idea of another too pink or too orange shade. I guess I lingered a little too long because one of the artists Evelyn came over and asked if I needed help. I didn't want to explain my predicament, and I also didn't want to leave looking like a drag queen. She was so unbelievably nice, and so helpful that not only did I find the right shade, but I found makeup again. Since then, Evelyn has been my ultimate go to MAC artist, and whenever I want to try out a new line, or just ask a question she has been there.

My purse now overflows with MAC cosmetics of all types. I am devoted to their brushes and there has never been a foundation or powder that matches as flawlessly or completely as the ones I use from MAC. Its a love affair honestly, and I am hopelessly devoted. So when you see me reviewing something from MAC, please know that its from the heart and if I feel like one of their products isn't super fabulous then you will know it. If I wouldn't use it, I sure wouldn't tell you to go out and spend your cash on it.

With that said, look for an amazing write up on the new MAC In 3D and Painterly collections this week. I actually had the opportunity to test them both out on probably the toughest endurance challenge of all...my best friend's wedding. We are talking 4 bridesmaids, 1 skeptical matron of honor, a hostess, the mother and the bride herself. 8 hours of photos, hugs, kisses, tears, speeches, dinner, drinks, chapels and dancing. I will make you a believer and I have the photos to prove it.

Fresh And Flirty

2007-08-24T13:07:00.000-03:00

I am all about convenience these days since I always seem to be on the go. I am one of those strange folks that has difficulty leaving the house without my "face" on, so you just might see me digging through my purse for any number of cosmetics. The ones I seem to have the most trouble locating are my shadows. I hate digging around trying to find my brush and god forbid I want to use more than one color on the go. It seems I can never locate what I need when I need it.

That is exactly why I am telling you about Flirt! and their new limited edition Vanessa Manillo Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palette. Now, you've heard me sing the praises of Flirt! Cosmetics before. I use their Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lip Gloss all the time. I love that they are just so compact and on the go. That's part of the reason I love the Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palettes too. It is so convenient, compact and beautiful I just couldn't resist. The shadows come in a four color palette that is tucked neatly into a sleek black slide out case. Inside is a fold out mirror and a wand for easy application. The wand has a brush on one side and a eyeshadow sponge on the other so that no matter how you want to apply, you've got it covered.

There are two soft color palettes, Party Purple and Chic Bronze. I tried out Party Purple last week for a night out with the girls and I loved how smokey and beautiful my eyes were. Of course I marched right up to Kohl's last weekend and purchased the other palette, which I have been wearing for a subtle work look all this week. I love that I can use them for a great dramatic look or a soft day time glow. I also love the price at $15 (by the way its on sale at kohls.com for $13.50) because I don't hurt my wallet looking cute.

You can find both of these Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palettes at your local Kohl's department store or online at Kohls.com. Remember they are Limited Edition so they wont be around for long, and they are a great way to get noticed.

Gold Rush

2007-08-15T12:15:00.000-03:00

The MAC Rushmetal collection is versitle, beautiful and rich with the shimmer and shine of liquid metal. Featuring 4 new lipsticks and 8 new pigments, the opportunities to create bold eye-catching looks are endless.

MAC Rushmetal Pigments are bold and beautiful loose powders in liquid metal colors. The great thing about pigments is how versitile they are. Use alone with an eye shader for fabulous bold eye colors or work along cheekbones for a great highlighting accent. Rushmetal Pigments come in Rushmetal, Revved-Up, Gold Mode, Mauvement, Off The Radar, Copperized, Quick Frost and Cocomotion. I am in love with Cocomotion of course, and its been serving as a fabulous frosty accent to my old stand by eye shadow in Mystery.

The Rushmetal lipsticks are daring without being over-done. Each of the four shades shimmer and provide endless shine. The colors, Thrills, Frenzy, Soft Lust and Fast Lane are silky and leave lips soft and beautiful. My personal favorites are Frenzy a peachy-beige with a golden shimmer and Soft Lust a frosted tan with white pearl.

Enjoy Rushmetal while you can because just like Flashtronic, they will both be gone soon to make way for great fall pallets.

Beauty In A Flash

2007-08-14T12:59:00.000-03:00

There are things that I like, and there are things that I love. Let me tell you about something I love. MAC Flashtronic. The entire line is designed to create a beautiful glow that illuminates and shines, giving you accents of spun gold.

MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish is one of the best products I have used. It creates such a subtle glow without being cakey or false looking. It highlights and beautifully and goes on soft. I love the way they have combined several different colors to make one beautiful wearable finish. Flashtronic features three of these new colors. Northern Light, a mid-tone pink, Gold Spill a peach pink with warm brown and cream pearl and Global Glow, a mid-tone brown with gold pearl. I have officially replaced my summer bronzer with Global Glow. I love how so little goes so far. It is the perfect accent that creates a sun-kissed glow without becoming heavy, too sparkly or orange and false looking. Use the number 134 Large powder brush for flawless application.

The Flashtronic collection also includes MAC's new Mineralize Eyeshadows, which are similar in texture to their Skinfinish, but create a fabulous four-shade eye color that lasts all day. There are six great shades to choose from. By Jupiter (which is my favorite) a mixture of taupe, beige and deep brown, Tectonic - Yellow gold, lime green, black and brown. Ether - Aqua, silver, black and gold. Mercurial - Yellow gold, lilac, and chestnut. Lovestone - Raspberry, wine and copper and Quarry (my mothers favorite) skyblue, olive, coral and beige. Each shadow produces a distinctly unique and amazingly wearable beautiful frost finish. Paired with the number 227 Large fluff brush, these colors go on smooth and bright.

In addition to Flashtronic's Mineralize Skinfinish and Eyshadows are four new Lipglasses designed to compliment and contrast with a reflective shine and amazing color. Perfectly pink, Flashtronic - Carmel bronze and gold pearl, Young Spark - neutral pink with gold pearl, and Electro-Lush - Creamy blue pink. I am a devoted fan of the Flashtronic Lipglass which I can play up with a cork liner, or smooth on for a shiny lip stain look.

Flashtronic is available now at MAC stores, online or MAC counters in high end department stores. Its limited edition, so if you want it, you've got to go get it now.

Light Bright

2007-08-06T13:00:00.000-03:00

I had the opportunity to test Rimmel London's new Light Beam Lip Gloss. If you dont know already, Rimmel has figured out how to incorporate a tiny beam of light into the cap of their beautiful lip glosses which takes all the guess work out of dim or dark environment application. The light beam is perfectly situated, so it illuminates your lips in even the darkest place.

I of course am guilty of trying to apply my lipgloss in the car at night. My boyfriend hates this of course, because I have to turn on the overhead light. Driving with the overhead light is never fun, so on our last evening out, I decided to test out the Light Beam Lip Gloss. I pressed the button on the cap, and started applying. The boyfriend, who is typically not interested in anything beauty related, commented that it was a very smart idea. I would bet it was because he didnt have to endure the blinding overhead light. He wasnt blinded and my lips were flawless which means everyone wins.

So you are thinking, well that's just great but how will I know where I am putting the gloss? Not to worry, there is a tiny lip mirror on the side of the lipgloss (which I personally think is a must have for all lip products) so that you can see how to apply it perfectly.

You know how much I love beauty products that make life just a little easier. Also, because Rimmel Light Beam Lip Gloss comes in six fabulously sheer shades, you'll have no problem picking one (or more) that you love. In the Mix is a pale pink, After Hours a beautiful cherry red, Spotlight a shimmery pale purple, In the Limelight a soft gold, Disco Ball which is clear with silver shimmer and Strobe Light a metallic silver.

Each shade goes on smooth and silky without the sticky texture some glosses leave behind. I also didnt have to apply it very often, (even though I wanted to play with the light and the mirror) and it smelled and tasted great.

Its a steal at $10.99 and you can pick it up at your local ULTA on line or in the store.

Foot Therapy 101

2007-07-31T11:59:00.000-03:00

Maybe you ladies have time to go to the nail shop and get a cute little Mani and Pedi every week. If so, I envy you terribly and if not then have I got a product line for you.

Lamisilk has a new line of products just for those ladies who can’t always have a weekly pedicure. You want cute feet, especially during the summer months so you can wear all of the sexy sandals and strappy footwear your little heart desires without worrying about dry rough heels and toes. Lets not sugar coat it ladies, if you neglect those toes you will pay later.

I am sad to admit that last week I was about a week off from my pedicure visit, but instead of panicking I reached for my Lamisilk 3 Step Intensive Foot therapy. The trio consists of cleanser, moisturizer and a protectant. Also, thanks to Glam I also have a great Essie nail polish and the perfect pocket sized file to complete the look.

I started with the Lamisilk Cleanse Exfoliating Scrub, which smelled strangely like my old Rice Bran Body Scrub that I used to love so dearly. It gently scrubs to remove dead skin while softening. Some of the exfoliants I have used for feet have left them dryer than when I started. Not the Lamisilk Cleanse, this stuff is wonderful.

I followed up with Lamisilk Hydrate, which has such a smooth creamy consistency without being greasy. I love for my feet to be soft and smooth, but I don’t need to slide around on them like I am wearing my own personal ice rink. The formula absorbs quickly and kept my heels and toes happy all day.

So I finished off my happy toes with a few coats of Essie nail polish in a bright red. I love bold colors for summer and this was just the perfect shade. Let me tell you I got so many complements on the color. I am sure I would have gotten a few on my soft beautiful feet but I am not the type that enjoys random people touching my tootsies.

That night I smoothed on Lamisilk Protect which is their overnight moisturizing seal. That stuff is amazing. You know the old trick with the socks and the moisturizer that we all learned back in our sleep over days? Well this takes the goopy mess and the hot socks out of the equation. Just put it on before bed and wake up with beautifully smooth feet.

So, now you know what to do about those neglected feet. Don’t wait around counting your pennies, go over to Lamisilk’s website and download some great coupons so that you can have your very own home pedicure with Lamisilk’s Intensive Foot Therapy.

You can buy Lamisilk Intensive Foot Therapy at drugstore.com and local retailers.

Shake Your Tambourine

2007-06-25T13:00:00.000-03:00

Not only is MAC's New C-Shock my pick of the week but someone just as Bold and Fabulous is feeling it too. First Lady of Rap, and MAC Viva Glam VI Spokesperson EVE recently shot her video for her new single Tambourine. Tambourine is a personal favorite of mine and is destined to become a summer anthem and Eve's personal makeup artist J.J. specifically requested the C-Shock line for this video. The looks they created are fun and beautifully bold. Check out some of the fresh looks from the video.

In this first look, Eve is wearing:
Cork Lip pencil
Mega Lip Gelée (c-shock)
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Going Bananas Eye Shadow (c-shock)
Eye Popping Eye Shadow (c-shock)
Amberlights Eye Shadow
Honesty Blush with Matte Bronze Bronzer as contour

In look two Eve is wearing:
Vivacious Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Mega Lip Gelée (c-shock)
Honesty and Kid Eye Shadow
Technikohl Pencil in Graph Black
#7 Lashes
Lingering Brow Pencil with Girl Boy Brow Gel
Harmony Blush
Matte Bronze Bronzer as contour
#129 Brush

In this last look Eve is wearing:
Mega Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Saddle Eye Shadow
Electric Eel Eye Shadow
Bang On Blue Shadow (c-shock)
Technikohl Pencil in Auto-de Blue
Fancy Ray Crème Blush

Check out Eve's new video for Tambourine, and MAC C-Shock today!

MAC Introduces C-Shock

2007-06-22T11:20:00.000-03:00

Its no secret how much I love MAC Cosmetics and that I am devoted user. I make my pilgrimage to my local MAC store regularly, and I try to keep ahead of the curve on their new products. Well ladies, I am back and just in time for those hot summer nights, MAC has introduced C-Shock, their electric line of flawless lip and eye colors.

C-Shock is a bold line that tips its hat to the hot new 80's trends that are sweeping the shelves of our favorite clothiers. There is so much to offer and so many fabulous ways to wear these amazing colors that your summer look will never be drab or boring.

Some of my immediate favorites are C-Shock LipGelle in Mega and Sugar Shock. Sugar Shock is a sheer deep berry that packs shine to spare and looks great or paired with a bold color for contrast like Blast o' Blue Lustre Lipstick. Mega is a frosty lilac with a metallic silver shimmer. Its a perfect everyday color that goes on soft and looks great on any skin tone.

My favorite of the Lipsticks is Pomposity a bright frosty raspberry that looks fabulous with a cork pencil and Romping eye shadow. Several of the eye shadows are bright and bold but surprisingly wearable. You can pair them with your favorite neutral for a smart pop of color like Mystery with a hint of Wondergrass or go high drama and wear Going Banana's a bright yellow with Big T, a striking Turquoise in the crease. They are perfect for a fabulous eye catching look. The key to pulling off these colors is a beautifully matte face with bold striking color accents.

Okay so are you still reading this??? Go and get C-Shock right now and get your summer started off right.

Get Clear

2007-06-20T11:30:00.000-03:00

I have the most unfortunate issues with acne, and I am sure you have all heard about it here before a time or two. What you havent heard is that while my skin is fickle and crazy and generally difficult to deal with, my poor son's skin is much, much worse.

We have both tried so many products, creams and treatments that we are just about fed up. While I can get away with a little extra foundation, my son isnt so lucky and he will start shaving pretty soon. I dont even want to know how that is going to work. It makes me shudder just thinking about it.

A few weeks back I was sent a new acne clearing device called ThermaClear and trust me I was very skeptical. I always want something that will work on my acne, but I am nobody's fool and I am not just going to slap anything on my skin. That rule goes double for my son, especially since he has to go to school and I am not going to cover him with Studio Tech (I mean thats just wrong) foundation.

It took me a while to work up to using it and let me tell you why. ThermaClear's slogan is Heat it. Treat it. Defeat it. All of that sounded lovely, except the heat it part. The device itself is hand held and uses thermal pulse technology. Its similar to laser technology and works to neutralize underlying bacteria with a burst of heat.

Think about how your mom used to get a hot compress and put it on a particularly stubborn blemish. Its just like that only concentrated and quick, so that you dont spend half your time standing around with a wet washcloth hanging from it. So once I got past the whole heat thing I started using it.

The instructions tell you that for best results, you should put the device on high. Well being the chicken I am, I decided to try it on low. You are instructed to clean the tip and apply it directly to the blemish, press the button and hold the machine there for an additional moment. I wont lie to you folks, its not a pleasant feeling. This is something I had to use over and over in order to not wince before the pulse was delivered.

I did get used to it though, and in a day I was using the device on high. I believe it signifigantly reduced the healing time on my blemishes. It was just a few quick pulses and off to bed, the next morning my blemishes were almost gone. After a week or two, I decided that perhaps I could use the device on my son. I was completely certian that it wouldnt harm him and as bad as his skin seems to be these days it could only help the situation.

Now it took a whole lot of convincing, but my son managed to withstand the feeling of the pulse and he got used to it a lot faster than I did. His blemishes took a little longer than mine to clear, but it made a considerable difference in his healing time as well. Now, being a boy and wanting immediate results right away, my son went a touch too far with the ThermaClear device.

Even though I instructed him not to use the device without my permission, he is after all a teenager and a boy, so I should have known that wasnt going to work. My darling sweet boy over zapped his face and basically wound up with a bunch of very dark spots over his already irritated acne. Of course he is now banned from using the device unless I supervise.

All in all I felt like it really made a big difference, and when he wasnt using it to cook himself, it really helped my son too. At $149.95 the device is not as affordable as that washcloth trick, but it does work. It absolutely does exactly what it says and you can purchase it online from ThermaClear's website.

Its Been A Long Time...I Shouldnt Have Left You

2007-06-19T21:22:00.000-03:00

So while I was away doing decidedly unbeautiful things while trying to stay beautiful. No small task I tell you, but let me get you ladies up to speed

First, I have exciting news. The Glam Network (of which 99 Products is proud to be a part of) announced Monday that they have just been ranked number one on the comScore Media Metrix Top 10 Women's Community Web Properties list.

With 17 Million visitors a month Glam took the top spot, beating out iVillage.

Glam is an amazing network to be a part of and I wish them continued success and as always I thank you for making 99 Products your choice for beauty news and reviews.

Last Day - Comments For A Cure

2007-06-06T10:31:00.000-03:00

Comments For a Cure is becoming such a huge success thanks to all of you who have chosen to participate.

This is our last day so come in and say something, say anything at all.

Your support has been amazing!

Comments For a Cure...

2007-06-04T15:00:00.000-03:00

Comments For A Cure kicks off today!! On June 4-6, 2007, each comment that you make on this blog, or any other participating blog inside the BB Network will equal a pre-determined dollar amount. That dollar amount will be donated to the cancer charity of our choice.

My friend Ebony was diagnosed this past December with breast cancer, so my charity of choice is the Susan G. Komen Foundation. So let's try and make a difference!!

Here is a list of participating blogs:

99 Products
A Touch of Blusher
A Girl’s Gotta Spa
Aging Fabulous
All About the Pretty
All Lacquered Up
AZ Spa Girls
Beauty & Fashion Tech
Beauty Hatchery
Beautiful Makeup Search
Brain Spam
eBeautyDaily
GirlPaint
Life of a Ladybug
Lipstick Powder n’ Paint
Makeup Minute
Mystical Beauty Musings
Pretty by Nature
Real Self
The Beauty Newsletter Blog
The Makeup Bag
The Makeup Girl
The Product Girl
The Perfume Bee
We Love Beauty
Yummy411

Reminder: Race For The Cure!!

2007-06-01T16:40:00.000-03:00

My "sister" and I TheMakeupGirl, are going to do the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure tomorrow!!

It is a 5K walk/run and it will help to raise awareness and much needed funds for breast cancer research. I will be walking in support of my friend Ebony who was diagnosed this past December, she is only 29 years old.

I am so happy and proud to report that I have surpassed my initial goal of $250!! I am up to $390 now!! Keep it coming folks!! If you would like to make a donation to sponsor me, please visit my page here.

Thank you so much for your support!

Summer Sales Pink and Pretty

2007-05-30T16:01:00.000-03:00

Summer is here and finally, so am I. I cant wait to talk to you guys about all the fun summer products I have been testing out recently, but first and foremost since I have no clue how much time you have, get your buns over to Victoria's Secret for their Semi-Annual Sale.

I was in there Saturday spending money like water on everything from their PINK line, to their new fabulous beauty products, because the only thing I love more than a deal on frilly underthings is a deal on beauty products.

I love Victoria's Secret PINK for lounging about the house. I know you are thinking "my god why would I want words scrawled across my booty" and you would be right, I wouldn't. There are plenty of things in that section that wont have you looking like you are twelve. There are some print free super cute sleep shorts and capris, there are also great tanks and baby soft graphic tees that are perfect for summer mornings on the veranda with your coffee, or summer evenings curled up with a great book or movie. The key to PINK is fun, and I don't know about you but I am not at all ready to wear an old school nightgown to bed. I am nobody's grandma.

The best thing about PINK is that this week their panties are 5 for $25! Some are even less that that. How can you pass up the opportunity to wiggle your fanny into $5 draws? Go check out PINK online or at your favorite Vickie's.

Oh wait but lets not get ahead of ourselves. This is a beauty blog, and we have you running around in your cute new stuff without something to spritz, rub, or glide on for some extra summer pretty. Ladies why did no one tell me about Beauty Rush?

Beauty Rush, (yes I am probably the last to know) is Victoria's Secret's deliciously scented line of beauty and body care. I seriously spent a good 20 minutes trying to decide which decadent scent was best on me. I finally settled on Slice of Heaven which is described as "Sugary, Vanilla Cake". It all makes perfect sense now. Everyone knows I am completely incapable of turning down all things Cake related!

There are so many different fruity and delicious scents to choose from, I was starting to think I would never decide, until I realized that they are all on sale this week! They are all two for $18 online and in store. That means you can get Body Glimmer Wash and Body Drink Lotion for $18, or you can get the Body Double Mist with Zing Moisture Gel for $18 bucks! Or you can be greedy like me an get the entire line, two Beauty Rush Lip Glosses (on sale 2 for $10), and two Luminous Eye Shadows (2 for $10), and walk out very cute and very broke.

I couldn't figure out when the sale ends but my guess is soon, so run or type really fast and get to Victoria's secret and partake in the Semi Annual Sale, and meet me on the veranda for coffee and biscotti, my treat!

Race For The Cure...

2007-05-24T15:41:00.000-03:00

Hey everybody, I know I have been MIA for awhile, but I have been swamped!! I want to talk to you today about breast cancer. It is a very real threat to women all over the world and instead of sitting around doing nothing, I decided I wanted to try to do something. I know I talk about beauty products all the time, but today I want to talk about this real life issue.

My "sister" and I TheMakeupGirl, are going to do the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure on June 2nd. It is a 5K walk/run and it will help to raise awareness and much needed funds for breast cancer research. I will be walking in support of my friend Ebony who was diagnosed this past December, she is only 29 years old.

If you would like to make a donation to sponsor me, please visit my page here.

Thank you so much for your support!

Missing You

2007-05-15T10:14:00.000-03:00

Things are crazy busy and I know I've been missing in action but I promise to return next week with new product reviews!

Are You Sleeveless Ready?

2007-04-26T13:00:00.000-03:00

So I have returned to talk about one of my favorite products again. Dove, who never lets me down and always gives me the best skincare is rolling out their new "Sleeveless Ready" campaign, and I recently had the opportunity to try out their Dove Ultimate Clear deodorant. Now, I have to be honest when I say that I already am a user of Dove Deodorant, so getting me to switch was all too easy. I already love Dove for its great fresh scent and its protection, but I was eager to try out Dove Ultimate Clear and leave those white marks behind.

Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant has Translucent Moisturizers that keep your underarms both soft and dry all day. They don't leave behind that flaky white stuff like other deodorants. I know that when I put on a sleeveless shirt that I don't have to worry about embarrassing white stuff on my arms or on my clothes and I never need to worry about wetness or odor, I can just put it on and go.

Dove Ultimate Clear deodorant is all you need to be “sleeveless-ready”. Dove Ultimate Clear lets you be comfortable with the look and feel of your underarms and confident wearing any and all underarm-revealing fashions. You get all the protection, and smoother, softer, sleeveless-ready underarms in just 5 days.

Now, like I have said before, I am a believer in giving you the real scoop on products. I wont sugar coat or provide you with a review of anything I haven't tried myself and this time ladies I put Dove Ultimate Clear to the test. The test of a good deodorant isn't just wearing it around the house or the office. No ma'am, you have to know that if you are in a pinch you wont be embarrassed by a sub-par deodorant.

I tried out Dove Ultimate Clear for 3 full weeks. That gave me a chance to see how it stood up to regular wear, that weird 88 degree day we had last week, and the mother of all tests...the gym.

Dove Ultimate Clear exceeded all my expectations, never left me wondering about its strength or protection and breezed through a solid hour and a half or intense cardio and weight training.

In addition Dove has paired up with Chloe Dao Season 2 Project Runway winner for their "Sleeveless Ready" Ultimate Clear campaign. I absolutely loved Chloe Dao on Project Runway and I was glad to see that her boutique"Lot 8" was thriving in Houston.

Chloe Dao has created a do it yourself Sleeveless Shirt pattern for a sleeveless ready summer. My grandmother was a seamstress so I have an inordinate amount of love for all things sewing related so I couldn't wait to get started on my shirt!

In addition, the fabulous Ms. Dao agreed to an interview with yours truly about Dove Ultimate Clear, Project Runway and what she has been up to since her win. Check it out!

Avin: Did you feel like “Project Runway” was a good experience?

Chloe Dao: "Project Runway" was an amazing experience. Being a part of the show helped me realize who I am as a designer and as a person. A televised competition forces you to examine yourself because it puts you under such extreme circumstances. I never knew that I could be so stubborn and strong about my point of view as a designer and as an individual. I got to see my flaws and my strengths at the same time, which was really strange.

Avin: Was it as much fun being on the show as it looked?

Chloe Dao: It was fun to just be creative and not worry about anything but the challenge. We didn’t have any outside interactions or distractions. We lived and breathed the challenge. It was like fashion school but we didn't have to worry about when to eat or having to pay tuition.

Avin: What do you like to do when you aren’t creating designs for Lot 8?

Chloe Dao: I have three things that I have always loved to do when I am not designing or working: reading a great book, playing tennis and taking any kind of dance class, from hip hop to tango.

Avin: Are you a music person? What’s on your iPod/CD player right now?

Chloe Dao: I do love music. I am listening to Gwen Stefani, "L.A.M.B.", Malcolm McClaren, "Paris", old remixes of 90's pop, international music and classical.

Avin: Outside of “Project Runway,” do you watch reality TV?

Chloe Dao: I am such a reality TV addict. I love “Flavor of Love" and “Shear Genius."

Avin: Do you create seasonal lines for your boutique Lot 8, or do you lean towards creating what you think will work for any season?

Chloe Dao: I do both. My point of view as a designer is to always create pieces that are relevant to the current trends but not so relevant that it becomes trendy. My designs rarely have an expiration date. Good designs are always stylish and fashionable and that is my goal for every season.

Avin: Where do you see this summer’s fashion trends leaning?

Chloe Dao: Some of my favorite fashions this season are sleeveless. For example, I love a high-volume dress. This style of dress begins under the bust line, creating room for movement, comfort and softness. I recommend picking a sleeveless volume dress, which is flattering on every body type.

Another hot summer trend is metallics. The one thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to metallic details and shiny material, less is more. Choosing a sleeveless top in a metallic finish is a perfect, yet subdued way to wear this trend because the shine is balanced out by bare arms.

Avin: Do you feel like your personality is reflected in your designs?

Chloe Dao: Definitely. I feel strongly about helping all my clients feel beautiful and confident. I work with women of all shapes and sizes and my designs are reflective of that.

Avin: I’ve been told that you are working with Dove on their new “Sleeveless-Ready” campaign. Can you tell me a little bit about your role in that?

Chloe Dao: Sure! This is a partnership that I am really excited about. The Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready campaign is designed to help women feel confident in sleeveless fashions, and I am happy to have a role in that. I hope to lend my expertise on the best sleeveless fashions and provide tips on how every woman can achieve the confidence to go sleeveless.

Avin: Dove has always been on of my favorite product lines. In fact, I blog about it incessantly. Have you had the opportunity to test Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant?

Chloe Dao: I have tried Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant and I love it! When I first received the product, I decided to take the 5-Day Challenge. Dove claims that in just 5 days, you can experience softer, smoother underarms after shaving. I was surprised and happy to see how well the product stuck to its claim. My underarms have never been this smooth. With summer just around the corner, I’m ready to go sleeveless with confidence!

Avin: I am eager to try out your DIY shirt! What gave you the idea to create a DIY pattern?

Chloe Dao: I have always been into individualizing a style and there’s no better way to personalize a garment than to do-it-yourself. The DIY process can be as basic or as elaborate as desired. A great material to work with is the cotton T-shirt: a staple in the fashion industry. Vintage or oversized T-shirts can easily be refashioned into trendy sleeveless tops that are perfect for a variety of occasions. To create a personalized DIY sleeveless-ready shirt, all you need is: a soft, cotton t-shirt, scissors, embellishments (such as patches, ribbon, rhinestones or pins) and fabric glue. Once you have those, get creative as you explore the possibilities!

After my interview I decided to really get into the creation of my DIY shirt. Its amazing what you can do with a few yards of ribbon and scissors. Interviewing Chloe was an absolute dream come true. Also, the Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready Celebrity Auction is launching on May 2! All of the celebrity shirts, including Chloe's, will be open for bidding! Until then rush out and get Dove Ultimate Clear deodorant, be ahead of the curve for summer, you'll be beautiful and sleeveless ready!

Color Showdown 2007

2007-04-25T10:39:00.000-03:00

So I mentioned a week ago that I was trying out Sunsilk's new Shampoos and Conditioners with Color Boost. Well I've been using the combo for about 3 weeks now, and I really like my results. I am a brunette with blonde highlights, so the right combination for my hair color was Beyond Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner with Blonde Bombshell Color Boost.

I really like the subtle highlights and how gently it brightens my existing blonde. It isnt a brassy or bright yellow, its very golden but nothing over the top. Its a great look for spring, and since I always go lighter in the spring I am thrilled with my results.

The directions encourage you to skip your conditioner on the day's that you use the Color Boost, which I did for about a week. If you girls have dry hair like mine, I dont encourage skipping your conditioner in lieu of the Color Boost. My hair was way too dry and very brittle after that first week. I cant say whether or not using extra conditioner will change, alter, or otherwise dilute the highlights you are working towards, but I can say that it doesnt seem to have effected my results.

Sunsilk is also doing hillarious Blonde's VS. Brunette's experiments. This is one of my favorites, its the teaser for "Who pigs out on junk food more-Blondes or Brunettes?" They set up a hidden camera in the break room of one their TV shoots and loaded up tables with both shameful but oh so satisfying junk foods and some healthy snacks. Check it out here:

Check out this and other fun video's on YouTube and Colorshowdown.com

Dark Circles, Wrinkles and Lines...Oh My!

2007-04-20T11:45:00.000-03:00

Like a lot of my other buddies in the beauty business, I find it difficult sometimes to review facial creams and serums. While I don't have particularly sensitive skin, I do break out very easily. The wrong combination of oils or too thick a cream will send my skin into a fit, and I really don't need that. Once you find the right combination for your skin type its difficult to branch out.

I have noticed however that my skin has different needs these days. Its a little drier than it used to be, and though I hate to admit it, I fear that wrinkles may creep up on me if I am not proactive about it. I decided recently to try out a wrinkle cream. You guys may have read my review of another cream that was fabulous but way out of my price range. I don't think they should have to cost a fortune to work so that's why I was so glad when I found Structura M3 Facial Renewal Complex.

Created to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, Structura M3 Facial Renewal Complex packs all the punch of a pricey wrinkle cream. The same clinical ingredients found in those other creams can be obtained in one tube of $29.99 Structura M3. I have been using it lately and I really like the results. It imparts ample moisture, it does seem to reduce the appearance of those little frown lines across my forehead. I spend a lot of time frowning at a calculator.

I also really like that it didn't break me out. Its not heavy or greasy and it absorbs into the skin completely. I don't use it everyday because I really don't think my skin needs that much wrinkle cream yet and I never know if one day my face will stage some sort of protest and break out from over use. It is nice to know that its there though, and that it works, and its only costs a fraction of what the high priced brands cost.

Shhhhhh I've Got A Secret

2007-04-19T12:00:00.000-03:00

Trust me, you want to know about this one girls. Flirty Little Secret from Booty Parlor is just that. You guys remember Booty Parlor right? They cater to the fun and adventurous adult spirit with flavored lip glosses, scented bubble bath and other goodies. I am a sucker for a good body cream but one that does more than moisturizes is high up on my list. The secret to this cream is a firming complex packed with pheromones.

Flirty Little Secret's firming agents work together to gently firm and tighten. If used daily you will start to see results in just a few weeks. Its packed with wheat proteins and collagen booster for instant tightening. Its also packed with Pheromones for a sexy edge that will pull in the opposite sex. There is no heavy scent, no perfumy fragrance so its the perfect base for any perfume you might care to spritz on. I don't know how they do it, but it does create quite a positive response.

In addition, Flirty Little Secret looks amazing on, its got a light shimmer that makes your skin glow. Its perfect for a night out or of course a night in. Its a great addition to your daily ritual. You moisturize, you glow, you attract and you firm. Come on, you know its worth a try.

Get that Flirty Little Secret and turn a few heads before summer is upon us. So be one of the first in line, you can get it online at Booty Parlor's website and on Victoria's Secret's website April 28th. It retails for $32 and its worth every penny if you ask me. Remember some of the stuff on their website is NSFW so I suggest checking them out from home.

Smooth Summer

2007-04-18T12:00:00.000-03:00

Ladies you know its going to be summer soon (though not evident by the weird weather we are having) and that means its going to be skirt, shorts and capri weather. This also means its time for that all important hair removal ritual. If you are anything like me you love the look and feel of smooth beautiful legs, but you hate the smell of depilatory creams and the pain of waxing and shaving.

I am always looking for something to make my life a little easier, so I am please to report on a product that does just that. Carefree, a name that we have trusted for decades has launched its new line of hair removal products. They are changing the way that women look at home hair removal.

Carefree's Face & Bikini Total Wax Strip Kit is new and innovative. Gone are the days of old fashioned wax strips that gripped too tightly or didn't stick at all. Carefree's strips include a bottle of soothing pre-wax lotion with Lidocane. The lotion prepares the area for waxing by removing oils that prevent proper adhesion. It also soothes the area with a gentle pain reliever. The result is smooth, irritation free skin. They also went a step further by including after wax soothing towelettes.

For smooth beautiful legs try out Carefree's Totally Smooth Leg Creme with bladefree razor. It doesn't smell strong and glides on quick with its built in sponge tip applicator. The bladefree razor removes even the shortest hairs in just three minutes. You just rinse pat dry and you have soft smooth beautiful legs.

They also have the greatest daily moisturizer for keeping those beautiful gams hair free. Their Totally Smooth Daily Moisturizer keeps your legs soft with soy, aloe and vitamin E while it minimizes the appearance of unwanted hair. Used daily, hair grows back finer and that's what we all want really. I love any product that keeps me from doing more work and be honest this hair removal thing is work ladies.

Look for Carefree's new hair removal products in your local drug and, grocery retailers and hurry up before the weather breaks and you find yourself without it!

Love Your Lashes

2007-04-13T12:35:00.000-03:00

I love mascara its true, but not all mascara is created equal. Some will lengthen, some will volumize, some are waterproof and some condition. I love different things about different mascaras but basically I just want them to cooperate.

For daily use I am a lover of Cover Girl Lash Exact mascara because its versatile and easy. It goes on perfectly clump free and its great for the office or the grocery store or whatever I need to do without looking really made up. My eyelashes are longer, and I look more alert and I love that whether I am in a suit or in jeans and a t-shirt. They have also started making Cover Girl's Lash Exact in a Waterproof formula, which I have not been able to locate yet but trust me when I say that I am bound and determined to get my hands on it. When I need a little more lift, I turn to Cover Girl Volume Exact. It gives me just the right amount of fullness my lashes need. Sometimes my lashes look and feel skimpy and I just want to be cute without totally overdoing it. All of the Cover Girl Exact products are hypoallergenic, and feature their breakthrough no-clump brush that separates and coats each lash for a flawless look. The line sells for $7 each at your local Target, CVS and other retailers.

When I want high glamour I reach for my MAC Zoom Lash which gives me huge glossy, Hollywood lashes. This is my tried and true elegant evening lash accessory. Not that I go to many over the top events, but I do attend a few during the course of the year that require me to get "gussied up" and fabulous. I want that shiny black false-eyelash look without the glue, the removal and the possible blinding that might ensue. MAC Zoom Lash creates long beautiful lashes without that spiky, picky look and it lasts all evening without flaking. You can get Zoom Lash at your MAC store, MAC counter or online for $11.

This year it seems like plum has been all the rage for cosmetics. I even got into the game with a pretty plum eyeshadow from Loreal Hip Pigments. I had to use its sparingly as the colors really are bold and there is a fine line between having plum lids and having a black eye. I also tried out Besame's brand new Sculpture Lash Mascara in Plum. I really like the way it lengthens, and separates. Its packed with conditioners, strengthening Rosea Root Extract, B5 and Keratin to moisturize lashes and its smudge and waterproof but honestly, I am more impressed by the sheer beauty of the color. Plum really pops for girls with green, hazel and brown eyes but you blue eyed beauties don't be discouraged, it can work for you too. Its a fabulous alternative to your everyday black, and the color is subtle, so I don't look like I just stepped out of 1982. At $25, Besame is at the high end of the spectrum, but its worth the extra cash. You can purchase Sculpture Lash online or in Besame stores nationwide.

Spring Continues To Bloom

2007-04-12T13:15:00.000-03:00

I guess I am not the only one obsessed with spring/summer fragrances this time of year. It seems that everywhere I look a new article or review for a light spring scent. I had the opportunity recently to try a new pretty fragrance called Privet Bloom from Hampton Sun.

Hampton Sun a luxury skin care leader has just introduced their signature fragrance Privet Bloom. This soft and fresh fragrance blends lemon verbena and bergamot with sea grass, cucumber and white hyacinth. The result is a clean light fragrance that is perfect for every day.

The inspiration for Privet Bloom are the Privet hedges that the Hampton's are famous for. Hampton Sun which is well known for its sun and skin care wanted to capture the beauty of the Hamptons for its signature scent.

If you love a floral fragrance this is perfect. Its not over powering or heavy, but the fragrance lasts long into the day. When I opened my May Issue of O Magazine this weekend, there was a wonderful write up on spring fragrance and Privet Bloom was prominently featured.

You can buy Privet Bloom directly from Hampton Sun's website, or at specialty retailers.
Eau de Parfum 1.7 oz. spray - $65.00
Eau de Toilette 1.7 oz. spray - $49.50

Enjoy!

You Might Need A Boost

2007-04-09T14:00:00.000-03:00

I have been playing with this website for a week now, and you just have to try it out. Its http://www.colorshowdown.com/ from the folks at Sunsilk. They just launched their new Color Boost line for Blondes and Brunettes. I purchased some last weekend, and I promise to review it next week, but the directions say I should use the color boost three times a week in place of the conditioner which I have not had the opportunity to do. I am not about to review a product I haven't fully tested out myself, or had one of my best friends try. No you wont get any phony reviews from me ladies.

The website tells you everything from how to decide on which Color Boost product is right for your hair, to simple tips and tricks to get the most out of your color. There are also fun things to check out like jokes, and TV spots and even games and secret experiments to see who really does it better Blondes or Brunettes.

So check out the website, there are also insider deals where you can save big on your purchase of Sunsilk Color Boost! I'll check back in a few days and let you know how things went, but I've gotta tell you things are looking great already. Sunsilk, Get Hairapy!

Take Me To Paradise

2007-04-04T12:00:00.000-03:00

I tell you Spring is back and in a big way! I have been so excited about breaking out the warm weather clothing a showing a little skin. A little, I'm not 16 or crazy. I love fresh spring scents and scrubs. Anything that reminds me of the beach is great in my book, so when I opened my package of Melba's Paradise Potions I felt I had died and gone to the tropics.

Not all products get tropical scents right. Some folks think all you need is coconut and pineapple and you've got a one way pass to the islands, but that is hardly the case. You have to be able to blend complementary scents in a way that will make people come running.

Melba's Paradise Potions are brimming with the true scents of the tropics. From their Tropical Sugar Body Polishes to their Exotic Shea Lip butters and their fabulous Hand & Body Cremes Paradise Potions have everything you need to start your summer off right. Here are just a few of their fabulous scents:

Blue Hawaii For Men, Caribbean Mint, Cucumber Mango, Eucalyptus and Lemon, Fresh Vanilla Raspberry, Hawaiian White Ginger, Island Guava, Juicy Margarita, Kauai Shores, Kona Latte, Key Lime and Coconut, Laguna Beach Wahine, Lemon Ice, Malibu Romance, Maui Pineapple Colada, Oahu Beaches for Men, Papaya Mango, Paula's Paradise, Pink Grapefruit, Sherbet Splash, South Pacific Plumeria, Spicy Cranberry Lanai, Sunset Crush, Tahitian Vanilla, Twilight Breeze, and Vanilla Sandalwood.

There are so many you know you will just have to try them all. I love the moisture that they impart. Some scrubs are good at exfoliating, but leave you dry after you use them. Some others leave behind a greasy film that never quite seems to absorb, but Melba's Paradise Potions Sugar Body Polish gives your skin the moisture it needs while gently exfoliating.

I also had the opportunity to try out their Volcanic Spa Dust, which I admit had me a little skeptical. Its made from sun dried bentonite clay, volcanic ash, green tea and citric acid. It comes in a little tin, dried to a powder. You mix it into a mask and the Spa Dust does the rest. It gently removes impurities while the citric acid removes dead skin and exfoliates for a softer, brighter more hydrated complexion.

There are so many wonderful products to try, and hundreds of scent combinations that you'll swear your in a hammock on the beach.

Flower Power

2007-04-02T11:30:00.000-03:00

In keeping with my "Spring Theme" I just returned from a wonderful Saturday morning down at the tidal basin in Washington D.C. with my family! Its a yearly tradition to get up at an ungodly hour militarily known as o'dark-thirty and take pictures with the Cherry Blossoms. If you've been you know how beautiful the trees are in full bloom, which they were this weekend and if not, get thee to Washington DC Post Haste! Its a can't miss and a tradition for most of us DC natives.

Spending time in all that fresh morning air reminded me how much I truly love a great fragrance, and boy have I got a spring/summer scent for you. Kenzo, a trusted and revered name in the fragrance industry known for its signature scent "Flower by Kenzo" has a beautiful new Summer Fragrance! Its called "FlowerbyKenzo Summer Fragrance" and its just what you need to smell beautiful this year.

FlowerbyKenzo Summer Fragrance is as fabulous as the original, but this alcohol free summer blend incorporates bergamot and citrus fruits for a fresh, surprisingly light and wearable addition to your summer wardrobe.

Ive always been a huge fan of Kenzo Flower, and I am a winter addict when it comes to Amour by Kenzo. Both have me hooked, so when I got the opportunity to take FlowerbyKenzo Summer Fragrance for a spin I jumped at the chance. I recieved so many complements this week on my light pretty new fragrance. Its been turning heads all over town and I am not one to keep mum about my fragrance finds, so I've been telling everyone, and now I am telling you guys. I know you'll love it just as much as they do.

Its so new that its not available yet. You guys have to wait till May and you can get it at the bastian of all things beauty Sephora. If I were you I would get in line now, its going to be popular, trust me.

Spring Flirt!

2007-03-30T11:16:00.000-03:00

All girls love a good lip gloss right? With summer coming we want them in all sorts of shades or at least I do, enter Flirt! Cosmetics to save the day!

Flirt!'s new Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss is just the thing to show off your pretty pucker this spring. They come in 26 fabulously delicious purse ready colors. These beauties are bursting with color and they wear on all day. They give you fabulous shine at a moment's notice and they are never sticky.I tested them out on the toughest of customers, my best friend, and two of my coworkers.

Suzanne loved the Cherries Jubilee and couldn't wait to get it on. It was a great color for her and she was excited about its compact go-anywhere packaging. Michette tried out Nectar Fizz, she loved this neutral but shiny shade and promised to wear it often. Tandis sampled Radical Raspberry and fell in love instantly, she ran around the office puckering up (which I advised against) excited about her new beautiful gloss.

I loved them all and they are just what I needed to get Spring Fever! Test out Flirt! Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss at your local Khol's and get pretty. They are super affordable at $10 a tube, and they last forever.

In addition, Vanessa Minnillo host of MTV's Total Request Live (and Nick Lachey's main squeeze) is developing a new Limited Edition make-up collection for Flirt! that will be released in August.

You can experience the entire line of beauty products over at Flirt!

The Best Styling Iron EVER!!

2007-03-29T15:00:00.000-03:00

I use a lot of things on my hair, and I gotta tell you most of it isn't good. I am always complaining that it wont grow fast enough or that it looks pretty dry or just lacks that oompfh that ever girl loves. Its my fault, and I know this. My hair is only as good as I treat it and frankly I treat it awful. Its already a curly monster that I beat into submission every day with various heated appliances.

I have issues with sleeping with my hair wrapped up or tied down in any way, which contributes to a ton of my hair woes. So every morning I have to get up and straighten out what looks like a jungle of curls and fly aways. Some mornings I just cant deal with the daily straightening and curling and I coat it with some curl product and run to the office. I don't mind it curly but I prefer it straight and days I think my hair cant handle my straightening addiction. Too much heat is the enemy ladies and bad heat is by far the worst.

After almost a year of reading personal accounts and reviews on Folica.com of different styling irons. When styling irons became popular a few years ago I rushed out and bought a mid-priced ceramic styler. It straightened as much as it burned but I just kept using it, thinking I just needed to be more careful. I got fed up after a particularly bad singeing and tossed it.

I was ready for something new, something that wouldn't leave me half bald and pissed off and then my prayers were answered. Sedu who I have realized to be one of the top names in straightening and styling rolled out their brand new Sedu Revolution Professional Nano Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron and you know I had to have one.

I am truly in love with this iron. The plates are infused with Tourmaline which releases negative ions and seals moisture into the hair's cuticle. It gently glides through my hair leaving it both shiny and straight and not at all singed. In fact, I control the amount of heat my hair needs. There is no 1,2, or 3 setting here ladies. You get the real temperatures and everything in between.

Most of us don't have the same texture hair all over our heads anyway, so isn't is great to be able to switch the dial. Less heat for fragile bangs, or more heat for thicker wavier strands in the back. I just love the plates curved edges but I also love how versatile it is. Yeah, I bet you thought this thing only straightened right? Guess again.

I have been using it for two solid weeks now and I have yet to run out of new styles. I can go from curly to silky in less than 15 minutes. There is nothing this iron cant handle. You want curls? Sedu's got you. Just twirl small sections of hair around the iron for bouncy beautiful curls. You want it flippy? Go for it! Its super easy. You want big waves? Its all possible with the Sedu Revolution Professional Nano Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron.

I know you are thinking all that heat cant be good for my hair and you are right, so I use Sedu's Moisturizing Protecting Boost. Its a leave in protectant that wont weigh your hair down and locks in moisture with just a few quick sprays.

So, now you want to know what it costs right? Well, I won't take you to Olive Garden and call it Italy okay, the iron isn't cheap and frankly you wouldn't want it to be. Didn't you read my account of the hair frying incident??? Mid priced is gonna get you medium results and possibly fried ends. The Sedu is a steal at $129.00 for a 1' styler at Folica.com and frankly it is worth every penny. Don't believe me? Check out some of the reviews of the iron posted at Folica.com I guarantee you wont be disappointed by this iron in any way shape or form.

You can get the iron, the Protecting Boost and your money's worth right there at Folica.com

Hurry, stop burning out your hair already!

Gloves In A Bottle

2007-03-28T10:40:00.000-03:00

I recently tried a shielding lotion called Gloves In A Bottle. Its one of two shielding lotions I've tested recently. Shielding lotions act as a barrier against environmental factors that may serve to dry out your delicate skin. It locks in moisture in and helps your skin to look and feel its best.

Gloves In A Bottle does all this and its pretty affordable too. Its $12.95 a bottle and a little goes a long way. If you like shielding lotions and you have difficulty keeping your hands from drying out due to washing, this may be the product for you.

My Visit To Maryam's Soap Nook

2007-03-22T21:33:00.000-03:00

Pure genius is what I call it when you create something so versatile and classic that everyone loves. I love finding a great product, and this time I have found a whole line. Maryam Diaab of Maryam's Soap Nook has found the formula, or several actually.

Created for and inspired by her daughter, Maryam created her Soap Nook with handmade products in her kitchen. There are over 50 types of all natural products made by hand, with love blending aroma therapy with healthy ingredients.

I decided to test out a few different products in the Soap Nook line. I started with Maryam's Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil & Jojoba beads in Ocean Spray. Ocean Spray is one of the cleanest most soothing scents I have ever smelled. I love how squeaky clean you feel after using it, and how soft and pretty it leaves your skin.

I also tried out the Shea Butter and Dead Sea Salt Glow Scrub in Tropical Paradise. Its amazing seriously and when she says its a glow scrub, your skin truly does glow after you use it. It gently sloughs off dead skin as it imparts smoothing moisturizing oils to your skin. The results are healthy soft glowing skin scented like the tropics.

There is also an ultra luxurious Whipped Shea Monoi Body Butter that smells amazing and moisturizes like no other. I put it on in the morning after my shower, and I could still smell it that evening when I returned home. My skin was super soft without being oily or greasy. There are also beautiful handmade soaps, body mists, body oils and lots of other great products.

As natural products go these are top of the line. Packaged beautifully but without all the extra fuss. You know how sometimes beautiful packaging means extra money out of the consumer's pocket? Well with Maryam's Soap Nook that's not the case. Her products stand out, and they speak for themselves. They are affordable, they are waiting for you at Maryam's Soap Nook.

Birthday Care Packages

2007-03-21T13:00:00.000-03:00

So I recently had a birthday, and no I don't think I will say which one as a lady must keep some mystery about her...I've probably already said somewhere on this blog so much for mystery. I received lots of really great things for my birthday, such as flowers, red wine, a fabulous set of luggage and a special care package from my favorite Mary Kay associate. We all know how much I love cosmetics and when they come from the ultra fabulous Ms. Carol I know they are not only special, but they come straight from the heart. She sent one of my favorite sets to keep my hands busy and soft for that matter.

Satin Hands is something I discovered through my mother. Good old mom went to a Mary Kay party and brought home Satin Hands, and I am sure she never saw it again after that. Satin hands has come a long way since I swiped it...I mean discovered it years ago. Satin Hands is now a part of Mary Kay's Private Spa Collection. They have amped up the packaging and the ingredients and who couldn't love that?

Satin Hands is a three piece set consisting of Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream, Satin Hands Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub and Satin Hands Hand Cream. The set works together to pamper your hands as they exfoliate, moisturize and protect in three easy steps.

I love this set and its a fabulous gift for for just about anyone. It has a light peach scent and it comes in a extra cute little carry pouch. I love how my hands feel after using the trio and I might let my mom use it on occasion, its only fair. Check out Satin Hands for yourself or for a friend's birthday care package at Mary Kay's website, your hands will thank you for it.

Dove Day Two

2007-03-20T13:18:00.000-03:00

In keeping with my Dove Day's theme this week, I wanted to talk about a new Dove product I tried out recently. I love the feeling of clean, beautiful skin. I also love a hard working product like Dove. Dove is always packed with moisturizers and gently cleanses my skin to a flawless finish.

When I was in the store the other day I spied Dove Skin Vitalizer on the shelf. Skin Vitalizer is a facial cleanser/massager that uses soft cleansing pillows that massage away dirt, oil and makeup. The Skin Vitalizer came with three double sided cleansing pillows. There is a textured side for exfoliation and a soft side for gentle cleansing. You wet the pillow just slightly and you are off and running the Skin Vitalizer does the work.

The wand is easy to hold and you don't have to hold down the button for operation. Just one press and it cleans and massages your skin until you are ready to stop. You can even use the same pad to exfoliate first, and then softly cleanse, just flip it over. When you are finished, toss the pillow and rinse your face with warm water.

You can use it with or without removing your makeup first, but when I attempted to use it with a fully made up face, I found myself with what looked like cappuccino foam on the pad. This made me re-think using the other side as I didn't want to re-distribute any of what I removed. I also think I used a little too much water the first time to activate the pillow. A few drops of warm water is sufficient, any more than a 1/2 teaspoon is going to be way too much, and will dribble down your chin. Once I got the hang of things it was beyond easy.

The result is glowing soft skin that looks and feels renewed. I love the ease of use, but I am really a fan of how beautiful my skin was after just one use, my skin felt squeaky clean and fresh. You can even buy refill pillows for gentle exfoliation or Dove Energy Glow. This is basically my new skin ritual and it literally takes me 3 minutes. If I want to exfoliate my skin, I don't have to dig around for several different products, I can just grab the Skin Vitalizer.

Pick one up where you purchase any of your favorite Dove products and of course its affordable because its Dove, and you know they never force you to pay a whole lot for great skin.

Dove Day's

2007-03-19T11:09:00.000-03:00

I won't get into excuses about my disappearing act here at 99 Products, I will only tell you that I am trying to do better. Managing my time has proved to be quite challenging recently.

On to the reviews! As some of you may know, I have declared this (and probably next) month Amy Winehouse Month over at that "other" blog. While I love, love, love Ms. Amy and her music, I can not condone her reckless use of eye makeup. Let's just go back to the basics, and what better way to start than to get ourselves a beautiful glowing complexion.

I know you've recently seen the ad's for Dove Pro-Age products. They are beautifully packaged in deep rose colored tubes and jars and they have been on the TV and in your favorite beauty magazines. Even Oprah had a feature on Dove Pro Age. While its been created as a line for Maturing women, I have no problems giving anything a test run, or subjecting my mother to a test run. Who could go wrong with a product that purports to give back what your skin needs right now?

Even as a little girl I loved the ad's for Dove skincare. That 1/4 cup of moisturizing cream seemed so special and wonderful. No other soap was doing that at the time, and years later Dove is still adding it to their products. The Dove Pro-Age line offers Hair Care, Facial Care, Hand, Body, and even antiperspirants. I decided the best choice to try out was their Foaming Facial Cleanser.

The cleanser is light and easy to use. I love how clean my skin feels and its great light scent. My skin never feels tight or dry after using it, and I've noticed improved moisture and softness. My mother felt that it really gave her more moisture than the average facial cleanser. I have yet to try out any of the other products, but the strength of the Facial Cleanser is enough to make me try out the whole line. You can find Pro-Age products at your local grocery or drugstore and they are affordable so you wont break your bank being fabulous!

MAC Studio Tech

2007-02-23T12:45:00.000-04:00

I was talking with a good girlfriend who mentioned that her makeup needs had changed over the past year. She is fast approaching 30 and has had to endure a few not so gracious comments about looking “tired” and though she loves makeup (MAC specifically) she has never been the type to wear foundation or concealer.

I on the other hand have not been able to leave my home without a decent under eye concealer in a few years. Not to mention I am a big believer in even skin so I am a religious user of foundation.

I used to be a faithful user of MAC Studio Fix until I was recently introduced to Studio Tech. Studio Tech comes in their standard compact but is a moist foundation that dries to a powder finish. Its applied with the included sponge or with a compact round foundation brush for smoother application.

When I tried it out the MAC artist got a small plastic dish and scooped a little of the Studio Tech into it, and about a half a teaspoon of water. She whisked it around with the brush to a smooth consistency and applied using circular strokes. The result was flawless and luminous. My skin was soft and supple without being too moist, and it didn’t cake or clump. Its even buildable coverage that I so desperately needed and I never have to worry that its uneven it lasts all day. It literally takes me 5 minutes to apply it, and run out of the house. Finish with a quick dusting of Select Sheer Pressed Powder and I am finished and looking fabulously natural.

So if you are the type that feels like you just don’t have enough time in the morning to put on your foundation please consider Studio Tech. I highly recommend it for a natural look without all the hassle and drama that comes with liquid foundations.

Lucky Indeed

2007-02-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

Two of my most favorite products were featured in this month’s Lucky Magazine. I don’t know whether to be excited about the fact that I’ve known about them long before the write ups, or upset that now I probably won’t be able to find either product.

I already attempted to score two bottles of IS Clinical Active Serum from my dermatologist this week. Of course I arrived to find that they were sold out and told to check back in a week or two. IS Clinical is probably the best skin serum I have ever tried. It fights oil, removes redness and is quite possibly the fastest acting acne medication I have ever used. Its so beloved in my household that “the boyfriend” now uses it religiously. I don’t know who was more disappointed by its absence, him or me. I even use it on my son on occasion when his teenage acne has just gone completely haywire. At $120 a bottle it is a miracle, but its also more expensive than anything else I use.

The other product is one I just started raving about a few months back. Ojon’s Tawaka Rejuvenating Cream. I have been using it daily for months now and let me tell you, it’s made a huge difference in my skin’s texture and moisture retention. I absolutely swear by it, but of course I can’t ever locate it. It’s been waitlisted for over a month now and I am getting dangerously low. I don’t want to be reduced to fighting my mother for the last few drops in the container. That is NEVER a good look. I have been scouting my usual purchasing spots for a while now, but every time I attempt to place and order I am asked to wait.

If you happen to find either purchase them quickly and hide them, and tell no one of your unbelievably good fortune…except me of course!

Spa Towells

2007-02-01T16:18:00.000-04:00

Oooh boy its going to snow here in the DC area and everyone is trying their best to keep warm. I have been trying desperately to keep from drying out, but between the cold air and my frequent showering, I have not had good luck staying soft and supple.

After a hard day at work, I have been heading out to my new gym to get fit and unwind. I have my little gym bag all packed and ready to go in the trunk of my car, but with the temperature the way its been, my bottles of body products have sometimes been frozen solid when I get to the gym. I don’t know about you, but I don’t love the idea of applying frozen lotion after a work out, but there is no way I am leaving that gym dry and ashy.

I have been lugging around full sized bottles of lotion everywhere I go, and my gym bag is packed enough. That’s when I remembered that I had two samples of Spa Towells body lotion towelettes. I made sure to pack one when I ran off to the gym this week and boy am I glad I did. It was so much easier to carry a little package into the shower stall with me than to spend 5 minutes juggling my usual body wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner combination.

After getting clean I tore open the Spa Towell and started wiping. The towel was easy to use and portable and just what I needed to keep soft after a long run on the treadmill. The lotion is light, long lasting and packed with vitamin E, and avocado oil, it smells divine. Not to heavy or perfumy, just light and clean. It was super easy and quick and I was getting dressed in a flash instead of waiting for my lotion to absorb.

This is a perfect product for the car for quick touch ups or long car trips. Its perfect for air travel as you can just slip one into your purse without the hassle of pouring out your lotions at the gate or measuring exactly 3ml of lotion out. I wished that I had brought both packages into the shower because lets face it some of us gals have a little more area to cover, but overall the towel did the job and I was on my merry way.

I can’t wait to order more for my gym bag and stop lugging around my big bottle of lotion. These little packets will save me from frozen lotion and bottle juggling while I am trying to get myself sassy for summer. At 10 Spa Towells for $20 how can you go wrong? Soft, moisturized and on the go without a big heavy bottle, how much do you love that?

Where Did She Go?

2007-01-26T10:06:00.000-04:00

I know I have been missing in action this week, but things here in the real world (i.e. work) have gotten a tad busy. I promise to have some great new things to read about next week. In the mean time you can always check out some of my fellow beauty bloggers.

Themakeupgirl is reviewing some beautiful spring eye palettes that will make you forget its only 14 degrees outside...maybe.

Afrobella is trying to help you moisturize your situation with a few great products that will stave off the drying effects of winter.

Lipstick Powder n Paint has her top five blushes, mascaras, glosses and lip plumpers on display this week. See if your favorite is one of hers.

City-itis has a review of Britney Spears new perfume Midnight Fantasy.

Bond has a great Valentines Day promotion going on this month, check it out over at Blogdorf Goodman.

Tarte has introduced Vitamin Infused lip glosses and Product Girl has the scoop.

5 Things You Dont Know About Me...

2007-01-18T17:50:00.000-04:00

I got tagged by themakeupgirl to complete 5 things you don’t know about me. I am never very good at these things since I am typically an open book but since not many of you know me personally I guess there are some things folks don’t know.

I am also tagging J of City-itis, Life of a Ladybug, All About the Pretty and Eye4Style.

1. I hate taking pictures. Honestly, I feel horrible when someone comes at me with a camera. I never quite know what to do and every picture I have ever seen of myself looks flat out crazy. Like escaped mental patient crazy. Themakeupgirl would argue that isn’t really the case, but I try to stay out of the camera as much as possible.

2. I am a huge fan of MAC cosmetics. Shocked I am sure, but what you don’t know is that my purse, cabinets and home are overflowing with the stuff. I could set up my own store just based on the products I have unopened in my room. It’s a strange addiction that I don’t think I will ever beat.

3. I used to be a world class forger. My skills have diminished as Ive gotten older, but I am still pretty good at copying. I used to be so good that I could sign someone elses name for them after just looking at their signature on paper once. I am glad I never used my powers for evil…okay I skipped class a lot but that’s not important now.

4. I own over 200 pairs of shoes and at least 70 of those are black. I have so many that they are in bins all over the place. When I moved in October I had to put all of the summer shoes into storage, the winter shoes are in three seperate bins in my room and I have two full 30 count shoe cubbies that are filled.

5. I have been told almost daily since I was a child that I look like a celebrity. No, I will not tell you who, but its been a source of irritation for as long as I can remember because the celebrity had a pretty popular TV show a few years back and I will never get folks to stop calling me by her show name.

2007-01-17T15:08:00.000-04:00

This year I am trying to make an effort to step up my beauty game, which of course isnt easy but as Jay-Z reminds us - 30 is the new 20 and "I'm all grown up".

One of the things I almost never do is wear shadow unless its a special occasion. I need to break myself of that bad habit. I've been told time and time again that the eyes are the windows to the soul and why leave them sitting there with one busted mini blind and a sheet for draperies? Even on the most normal of days there is always something you can do to play up your eyes. Recently I have been experimenting a lot with palettes.

Sephora's new eye palettes have been on my radar for a while now so I recently picked one up. They are compact, go anywhere little discs filled with beautiful complementary shades that can give your eyes that wow factor, even on a regular day at the office.

Bourjois is a line I have recently discovered and they have these adorable little palettes called eyeshadow trios. They come in 7 shade combinations and at $18 are a steal.

Another palette I like is the limited edition Smashbox Eye Shadow Quad. All the shades can be used individually or together. This one can go from day to night easily. Lastly, DuWop makes a palette that I must have called Brown Eyes...it is fileld with rich shdes of chocolate with a base color in darker and lighter hues with a highlighter.

I am going to try and do better and these shades are perfect for a day at the office or a night on the town.

Just a Quick Update

2007-01-17T10:08:00.000-04:00

Ladies I haven't been able to get the Mary Kay thing situated this morning but I will keep you all posted. In the mean time I will have a few product reviews for you to nibble on a little later. If the Mary Kay party materializes I will get links set up so all you lovelies can scoop up that Satin Lips I keep yacking about.

Palacinka Reviews

2007-01-12T17:55:00.000-04:00

Check out the new product reviews over at Palacinka! Palacinka is a fabulous website that gives you great reviews on products tested by real people. You can always count on getting the real scoop there for your beauty needs. Women of all colors can appreciate that of course.

Sephora Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15

Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer

Palacinka - The beauty go-to for ALL women of color! Experience over 1000 beauty product reviews from 300 of the world's top beauty brands.

MK Treats Are Oh So Sweet!

2007-01-10T11:38:00.000-04:00

This holiday I had the joy and privilege of having my boyfriend and his mother attend dinner with my family. I love those two together, they have so much fun laughing and messing with one another, and I truly enjoyed their presence for food, fun and fellowship.

Now, if you've read my post about my boyfriend's mom, you know that she is a true beauty diva of the highest order. She is fly and fashionable at all occasions and she always has the scoop on what is new and beautiful in the world of Mary Kay Cosmetics. You know that after a while I had to steal her away from all the the family chatter and have a beauty gals one on one.

I have been peeking around on her website for a while now, and let me tell you ladies that this isnt your momma's Mary Kay. I am loving their sugar scrubs and moisturizers as well as their tried and true products like their Makeup Remover of which I am a fan of the truest sort. You all know of my addiction to, and love for their Satin Lips collection which I used EVERY DAY. Speaking of which I am almost out and its time to reorder! I seriously don't know what I would do without Satin Lips under every gloss, stick and pencil I apply. I shudder to imagine my poor lips fate.

Well, after kidnapping Ms. Carol and showing her my home at 99 Products, she did something so thoughtful. She handed me the most beautiful trio of Mary Kay Signature Nourishine Lip Glosses. What a wonderful holiday indeed! The Just Glossy Ensemble Set was all dolled up in a sweet silver package containing 3 of the most brilliant colors.

Starry, a beautiful clear pearlized gloss makes any lipstick or pencil pop with shine and shimmer. I have been using it just about every day. Then there is Gold Rush, which is Ms. Carol's personal favorite. A super luxe 24 karat gold that she wears over her favorite MK Red lipstick. I couldn’t remember if she said it was Salsa or Redwood, but I am sure either would be Fabulous with Gold Rush. Sweet Rasin is the final gloss in this group and I am loving it all by itself with a liner pencil. Its a little red, a little pink and a touch of brown an has tons of shine.

The thing I love the most about my little gift is how moist my lips stay. I have loved a lot of lip glosses, but even the ones I treasure the most don’t give my lips the moisture I crave. One application gives me softness, shine and sparkle and that's a trio worth talking about. I highly recommend them ladies, and I don’t say that about every pretty gloss that turns my head.

I am actually going to have a little MK party online January 17th which will give everyone the opportunity to see what I have been raving about and pick up some super sexy glosses for themselves. Everyone is invited and I will post more info as the date gets closer....probably a good time for me to get more satin lips!

Product Graveyard

2007-01-09T09:54:00.000-04:00

I used to live and die by Anna Sui Lip Gel a few years ago. I was a faithful user of #400 which was a slightly rose tinged gloss that was both thick and shiny. It was perfect over any shade of lipstick and amazing alone with a liner. I get the giggles just thinking about how much I loved its shine and versatility. I think they were about $15 dollars for an obscenely small tube and I used to run through them like Grant through Richmond.

I developed a love for #301 and #500 as well, but this is 1999 we are talking about, so I cant say whether or not #500 would have survived the new millennium. So deep was my devotion to Anna Sui Lip Gel that I purchased them out of their stock right before they left Nordstrom for good. Once I worked my way through those last few tubes it was time for me to face the music and try something else. I was heartbroken though.

Suddenly a few years later they popped back up at Sephora, and I was elated…however there were no Sephora’s in my area at the time (Imagine that!) and I was forced to order online. They never seemed to have good old #400 though, they always had some other strange color that I neither wanted nor needed. When I was moving I actually found a full unused tube and stashed it away (I know I know expiration dates!) but it doesn’t help that my beloved #400 is now gone.
They are carrying new Anna Sui lip glosses at Victoria’s Secret these days, but its just not the same and its terribly sad, so today’s Gone But Not Forgotten product is Anna Sui Lip Gel #400. I tip my 40 to your memory.

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream

2007-01-05T10:47:00.000-04:00

How surprised was I when I came home yesterday to find a beauty product that I didn’t buy on our kitchen counter? Turns out this purchase came from non other than my mom.
She proceeded to tell me all about Ojon's new Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream. I couldn’t believe it. My mother, the one who shuns most beauty products, the one I have to fight to put makeup on for an evening out. My mother ordered this all by herself! Once I got over the fact that she had totally beat me to the beauty product punch, I opened the jar.

Now those that read this blog know that I am an Ojon lover. They have the absolute best hair products but now they are offering this wonderful anti-aging cream. It looks and smells just like chocolate pudding, as its made from the wild cacao tree in South America. Its blended with native seeds and extracts that help to rejuvenate, replenish and protect. Its smooth creamy texture absorbs quickly and leaves you soft and hydrated without being sticky or greasy.

As I was thinking of a way to swipe the jar from my mother (who are we kidding, we live together) I realized that Tawaka can be used on your entire body. Its not just a face cream, or a hand cream. Its a body and hair cream too! It also combines with the original Ojon Restorative Treatment for a deep conditioning treatment on dry hair, and a leave in treatment on damp hair. Did I mention it smells like chocolate? Oh, yeah I guess I did.

Its also dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic. Its color free, preservative free, great for all skin types and rich with anti-oxidants. This stuff has it all. The new Rare Harvest Line also includes a Rejuvenating Cleanser that works as a shampoo, facial cleanser, and body wash and a Rejuvenating Conditioner that works as an in-shower hair, and body conditioner that you rinse off.

I have already ordered my entire set of Tawaka products, and I substituted my beloved moisturizer for Tawaka this morning. My face feels soft and beautiful and I cant wait till my own set arrives. You can check out the new Tawaka products at Ojon's website, and you can order them on QVC.com as well, although I am pretty sure the Rejuvenating Cream is on back order.

I Lacq-uer Style - New Year Nail Colors

2007-01-03T18:08:00.000-04:00

In 2007 I seriously plan to take better care of my nails. Not that my nails are in any way shape or form bad, they are usually just polish free, and with so many great colors on the market I should be ashamed at my little bare nails so off to my local manicurist I will go at least once every two weeks.

Thanks to one of my favorite beauty bloggers Ms. Kristen of Beauty Addict fame, I was able to snatch up a few of the very last bottles of Chanel Black Satin just before the holidays, but now I see that I am behind the curve with my limited edition tastes. Enter Chanel Noir Ceramic which can only be described as Black Satin with a boost! Charcoal Nail lacquer accented with blue shimmer. Now why didn’t I get my hind parts in gear and find it before it was gone? I have checked every high end store in the tri-state area and have had no luck locating it. I guess that’s why its called Limited Edition. I will continue to scour the area and pray the beauty gods smile upon me.

To sooth my troubled spirit over the loss of this fabulous limited edition find, I have spent some time checking out OPI's new Dark line. Their black onyx is a jewel, and their Espresso Your Style is a fab alternative to black. It may not be Chanel but let me tell you OPI and I are buddies from way back. They have so many colors its almost impossible to choose just one. For New Year's Eve I wore "Birthday Babe" from their 25th Anniversary collection, a satiny silver polish that is far from ordinary. Of course my nails received rave reviews which always happens when I wear OPI.

One of my favorites (from when my nails were done more regularly) was "I'm Not Really A Waitress" a cherry pie red that got me daily complements. I practically cried when I couldn’t locate a replacement bottle. In addition to their classic colors, and their 25th Anniversary Collection they have a new Mexico Collection that is fun and fabulous.

As for Noir Ceramic, well you can always get a bottle from eBay, but at $44 I cant justify it so I will just have to pray that the polish fairy slips one under my pillow.

A Beauty Diva's Guide to 2007

2007-01-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

Starting the New Year off right is important whether you make resolutions or not. I decided that this year is the year to get more serious about my health and beauty rituals. I know you are thinking "how could this girl get any more serious about beauty" but every beauty diva could stand to step up her game now and then.

First on my list is my hair. I have blogged about my "instant afro" before, but I didn't go into much detail. This year I vow to see my local stylist on a much more regular basis. I visit a very busy super affordable Dominican Salon in my hometown. I love how soft and beautiful my hair looks after a visit, but I have been pretty lazy about going. This will change in the 07 as I have decided to visit every two weeks as my stylist has suggested for so that my hair may reach its full growth, health and beauty potential. In addition I have found a few really great products to keep my hair moist and beautiful between visits.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

I love this product for so may reasons, its the one thing I can count on to make my hair beautiful, whether its just after a wash or just to add moisture before I flat iron it. I love that I can use it as an overnight treatment or a quick moisturizer anytime. I stumbled upon it a few years ago and started telling everyone about it. I also found out its the only product that keeps my sons dry scalp in check all winter long.

Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

I was hipped to this by a friend who swears by it for her curly locks. Its the perfect moisturizer for wet and dry hair and wont get sticky if you reapply mid day. Its conditioning formula utilizes Shea and almond oil and it actually holds my curls without making them limp or heavy. I really love it for my edges and ends especially on a windy winter day.

Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercream

Yes this is one of my all time favorites and no I cant believe I pay $60 for it either. Honestly, its worth every penny. When I want my hair super straight and soft without frizzies I use this to blow my hair out. Its got a tingly slightly peppermint feel to it and it combats moisture and heat while locking in moisture. I once found myself without this and had to express order some...it was tragic.

Start your New Year off right with beautiful healthy hair!

Holiday Glaze

2006-12-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

So the Holiday is upon us and I am sure you've finished all your shopping, but what about a little something for yourself? I was going through my cosmetics bins this morning, I came across my Besame Enchanting Lipstick in Chocolate Kiss. I love Besame Cosmetics and this lipstick with all my heart and I was so devastated when I broke the uniquely shaped tip (it lines and fills all in one) when I dropped it on the floor a few weeks ago. I have been using it with a lip brush but its just not the same so I went on their website to see if I could order another one for myself. Thats when I spied their new Velvet Red lipstick that I am just dying to try.

I have also been using their Enriched Lip Glaze for shine and shimmer over lipstick. Their Shimmer Peach looks fab and feels soft and beautiful on. I have decided to add their Chocolate Lip Glaze to my must have list as well. I love a gloss that I can pair with a great lip stick or wear alone with just a liner and these are perfect for both looks.

In addition there are some great holiday gifts on their site like their Luxurious Trio Set which includes their Enchanting Lip Stick in your choice of Warm or Cool shades. They also have their Enchanting Lipstick Collection which offers five lipstick in Reds, Neutrals, or Pinks. Being the lover I am of their Chocolate Kiss Lipstick the Neutrals are another must have for this lady.

There is also a special limited edition Silk Clutch Gift Set that is embroidered with their signature flowers and comes with your choice of Enriched Lip Glaze and Enchanting Lipstick. At $40 this is a perfect little gift for yourself or a friend. I am wishing I had one now for a sophisticated New Year's Eve on the town.

Its never too late in the season to do something for yourself so hurry over to Beseme Cosmetics and get yourself something special while they last!

Product Booty

2006-12-23T12:17:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to try out a few beauty products from a line called Booty Parlor. Yes I know what you are thinking and well...yeah you are sort of right. Booty parlor caters to the fun and adventurous adult spirit with flavored lip glosses and scented bubble bath. Some of the stuff on their website is NSFW so I suggest checking them out from home.

There are some other items that they feature, but this is 99 Products, and as you all know I do the cosmetics thing. I will leave the other stuff to you ladies to test out. They have a serious list of celebrity clientelle, write ups in Cosmo and their products are even being sold in select Victoria's Secret's across the country.

First, lets just talk about presentation. Va Va Voom what a sassy sexy way to get a gal's attention. The products came in a pretty box lined with a pink feather boa which was very Sashay Shante'! Their "I'm So Sexy Lip Gloss" came in little boxes with names like "Cinnamon Shine" a sultry sparkly red, and "Peppermint Pink" an irresistable pink. Both tingle for a sexy lip plumping pout and have shine to spare. They both taste amazing and I am sure your sweetie will think so too.

They also included their "Dust Up" powder which provides a shimmery finish on your skin which as we all know looks great during an evening out or an evening in with your honey. Both of the powders I tested not only looked amazing but they smelled incredible. The "Cruisin for a Bronzin Cinnamon Sugar" powder was my favorite. It smelled so heavenly I wanted to eat it right out of its cute little package. I also tested out their "Don't Call Me Honey" Dust Up powder as well.

There was also a tuberose scented bottle of "Naughty Bubbles" bubble bath and some "Dont Stop" massage oil that I have not had the opportunity to test out but I will when the opportunity presents itself. Booty Parlor's Body Treats are perfect for a fun and sexy evening in with the one you love, and couldnt we all use that as the temperature drops?

Exit Here: Click Worthy Holiday Buys

2006-12-20T16:31:00.000-04:00

Drugstore.com is having a blowout sale ending 12/29. Get up to 40% off and grab those last minute holiday gifts.
Need a vacation? Why not try a spa getaway...Way Spa can help you get the relaxation you deserve.
The Body Shop has several specials running but when you make a purchase online, you will get a free body butter!
Shop Macy's holiday lane for specials on holiday decor.
Treat yourself to a new pair of jeans at Lucky Jeans and get free shipping!
Grab a new set of sheets and get free shipping!

Happy Holidays!

Skin MD The Return

2006-12-15T20:34:00.000-04:00

So my week long experiment with Skin MD Natural is over and I have to say that my skin seems much improved by it. My mother is already a believer and refuses to return the bottle to me, but thats another story entirely. She really appreciates its shielding properties with the constant handwashing. She even used it on her face which I was super surprized about. My mother is pretty nervous about putting things on her face, but she said that it left her skin feeling both soft and firm.

I basically had to wrestle it away from her for the remainder of the week. I used it on the one place I knew would be the true test of any moisturizer's claims, my ankles. Sure I used it all over when I got out of the shower, but I have had severe issues with trying to keep my ankles looking moisturized. I wear trouser socks too, so that helps soak up my lotions as well. I am pleased to report that not only did Skin MD Natural keep my whole body soft and pretty, but they werent dry when I got home. In fact they are still ash free and beautiful right now, and as soon as I get that bottle back from my mom I will re-apply...but who knows when I that will happen.

Anyway, If it wasnt clear before you should absolutly get some Skin MD Natural and enjoy your first winter without dryness. 25$ at www.skinmdnatural.com

More Holiday Goodies

2006-12-12T09:52:00.000-04:00

I am still a big kid, so I always look forward to Christmas morning's stocking stuffers. My mother has always been big on keeping this tradition alive with goodies and samples that make us all smile. I already have her stocking stuffers put together for this year. You may have a stocking to put together for a friend or family member and here are some great little stuffers for everyone!

The Gloss Troupe by Bourjois - This cute little set is a perfect stuffer for the lady on the go. It includes 5 mini glosses, in Beige Elastic, Brun Galatic, Rose Idyllic, Framboise Energetic and Beige Theoric. Each is just tiny enough to slip into an evening bag or purse for a quick touch up. $15.50 Sephora

A Few Good Men - Philosophy
This is a great little lip balm set for just about any lady in your life. Little girls will love it for its cute packaging and sweet flavors, ladies will love how it softens and shines. Three flavors come in the set, The Ice Cream Man (pink bubble gum ice cream), The Gingerbread Man (ginger ale), and The Milkman (chocolate milk).
$25.00 Sephora

Strawberry Lip Balm - Rosebud
This is your old friend Rosebud Salve reworked and strawberry scented, who wouldnt love this ? They also offer Minted Rose and the classic Rosebud. Each perfectly pocket sized.
$7.00 Sephora

Mini Shea Butter Hand Cream - L'Occitane
I know I mentioned this one yesterday, but at $9 a tube its really a steal. Its perfect for your purse or your desk and you only need to use a little and it lasts forever. This one is great for the fellas too because its not packaged so cutesy and they can keep it right in their desk or briefcase.
$9.00 L'Occitane

Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar - Carol's Daughter
This exfoliator is great for hands and feet. Its all natural and smells divine! Perfect for mom or your friends to keep their hands butter soft and silky smooth.
$10.00 Carol's Daughter

Cranberry Atomizer - The Body Shop
A perfect little treasure for quick spritzes of your favorite perfume.
$6.00 The Body Shop

Invent Your Scent - The Collection
This is a great gift for the gal that has everything. This set gives you the opportunity to create your own signature fragrance. Just the thing to fill your atomizer with dont you think?
$30.00 The Body Shop

Happy Stuffing!

Oh So Pretty

2006-12-11T13:43:00.000-04:00

This weekend I was busy busy busy! But not too busy to take a little time for a lunchtime delight with none other than Ms. Julia of All About the Pretty! This was our first time meeting yet we chatted like old friends as we enjoyed our light Cuban lunch.

If you don't already know it, Julia is the foremost authority on all things beauty, and when she says All About the Pretty, she ain't just whistling Dixie! This lady is beautiful both inside and out and did I mention her flawless skin? To die for I tell you! We chatted about everything from The Barefoot Contessa to Politics and Government.

Of course it wasn't long before us beauty gals were pulling out our makeup bags and trading tips. She was even sweet enough to share a little of her L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream with me. We chatted about how lovely MAC's Plushglass in Wet Wild and Wonderful is as we nibbled on empanadas and black bean soup.

It was a wonderful lunch that ended way too soon, but I had a ton of running around to do that day. So if you need the scoop on all things Pretty, visit All About the Pretty and tell'em Avin sent ya!

Holiday Couture

2006-12-11T10:54:00.000-04:00

While on my rounds Saturday afternoon decided to call themakeupgirl. We were discussing a gift for my best buddy Dia's 30th birthday party that evening. When I asked Dia what she wanted for the big 30 she said one word...Makeup. Of course you know that is just what I wanted to hear and I set out for my favorite store MAC. Talking to themakeupgirl on the way she spotted something new on MAC's website and you know I love me some new!

MAC Couture is their latest line of cosmetics which includes four rich new lipsticks, four beautiful new lipglasses, highlighter and sheer powder. The collection also includes a new buffer brush and a stylish little clutch, each with its own signature MAC Couture style.

I immediately decided to try on a few of the lipglasses, and this time I didn't get one of the bored children helping me. This artist was a true MAC addict and happy to help me with my test run. I settled on Prestigious with tones of plum and gold and Savoir Faire a sparkling Carmel with tones of gold and pearl. I paired Prestigious with Cedar lipliner and the results were beautiful, however a touch too pinky for my taste, I later combined it with a little red gloss for phenomenal results. Savoir Faire I paired with a Cork liner. It was an instant favorite that drew the attention of another artist who proclaimed my new lipglass to be fierce. Both shades were weightless and soft with tons of shine, perfect over your favorite lipstick or fabulous alone. Of course I left with both, I am such a sucker for a pretty new product.

I wasn't able to try out the highlighters or the Sheer Mystery Powder as I was late for a very important party, but I will be back to sample both. My artist was wearing the Couture Richmetal Highlighter in Rare and Refined a beautiful rose gold. She looked absolutely flawless. If you want these new goodies ladies you need to hurry because they are all limited edition and once they are gone they will not return. These would make a fabulous gift for yourself or a friend, so what are you waiting on go now!

Bundle Up Beauties

2006-12-08T14:51:00.000-04:00

The weather outside is frightful, and frankly just downright scary. The wind is blowing and I have been as dry as an after Christmas Douglas Fir! So you can imagine how happy I was when I received a package from a lovely gentleman at 21st Century Formulations. He emailed me last month to see if I would be interested in reviewing their product Skin MD Natural.

Skin MD Natural is a shielding lotion that moisturizes while providing an invisible barrier against the things that strip your skin and rob it of its soft and supple texture. We the dry and flaky call this absence of moisture ash, but that’s neither here nor there. This "invisible barrier" keeps irritants out while helping to retain your skin's own natural moisture, and results in better overall hydration.

I used it this morning, and I have to say none of that offensive ash is present, but the real test is happening now. I left the sample with my mother and instructed her to go about her daily routine. My mother is retired and spends most of her time chasing our dog around and washing her hands to exhaustion. On average she washes 3 to 4 times an hour! I knew she was perfect to put this new product to the test.

I instructed her to follow the directions which state that you should use the lotion initially every 2 to 4 hours. By my estimation she should be working on her 8th hand wash by the second application.

So I will keep you posted on her progress and I plan to check for smoothness and lack of ash when I get home tonight.

Sparkle & Shine

2006-12-03T23:15:00.000-04:00

I love things that sparkle. In fact I have never gotten over that feeling I got as a little girl when I got pretty things with rhinestones and glitter. So the opportunity to get all gussied up and layer on the sparkle is right up my alley.

This holiday please do not skimp on the shine, when it comes to your makeup. A few weeks back I wrote about two of Lorac's Holiday Eye Palettes and if you picked them up, a holiday party is the perfect time to show them off.

My best buddy themakeupgirl loves Bobbi Brown's Diamond Dust shadow which comes in three luxurious shades, Pink Metal, Platinum and Snowflake. They are great as an accent to Bobbi Brown's Shadows in Cocoa or Cement which is sure to get you noticed.

For liners, Ms. Julia of All About the Pretty suggested Urban Decay's Glide-On Eye Pencil in Honey, a rich 24 carat gold or Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Shimmer Ink. Both are waterproof and will leave you looking flawlessly put together for your event.

Until recently, I have been purchasing gold shadow's at an alarming rate. Something about the way they sparkle with the right bronzer or the way that they highlight the perfect outfit is just perfect. I was recently in my safe haven Sephora and spotted Vincent Longo's Wet Diamond Eyeshadow in Concerto, a fabulous sparkling charcoal. I haven’t had a beautiful silvery shade in years and this one is a must add to my shadow collection.

As the name suggests, Wet Diamond Shadow's can be worn wet for a cream shadow look or dry as a beautiful sheer accent. There are 12 gorgeous shades all perfect for whatever pretty party ensemble you wear. I have always loved shadows with versatility and of course anything that sparkles.

Those pretty sparkles are just waiting for their debut so go show them off!

Holiday Events

2006-12-03T10:56:00.000-04:00

As we venture into December, there are a few things to remember before we all get out our Holiday best. First ladies, its super important to have your look picked out before your holiday event arrives. I have a good friend who was out searching for her holiday wrap at the eleventh hour. This type of thing can throw a monkey wrench in your outfit plans. Wherever you go, you want to be stylish and unique and its really not impossible to do.

Perhaps you are attending an office function or a holiday get together with friends. The key is to keep it classic while showing off your personality. I just attended a semi-formal/cocktail dress office event, and everyone was dressed beautifully, but a few weeks earlier I attended a black tie industry event where more than a few attendees had me scratching my head. Just for clarification purposes, black tie for women means formal, and formal does not include summer sandals, spandex or anything one-piece that’s involves white gauchos. These are things I have seen with my own eyes ladies and they are frightful!

There are a lot of great places to go for your holiday look this season. You don’t have to break your budget to look nice either. Banana Republic has some great event dresses and tops this year. Red is definitely on the radar for hot holiday looks. New York & Company also has some great pieces and cute costume accessories to glam up your holiday get together. Macy’s shoe department is filled with sexy party shoes and sophisticated pumps in an array of colors. I was in The Limited a few weeks ago and saw some extra cute clutches and evening bags that would be the perfect complement to your holiday outfit. While I was scanning my Lucky magazine yesterday I came across an ad for Wal-Mart’s Metro7 line which also offers holiday looks at a cost conscious price. See ladies there are plenty of looks to choose from so there is no excuse what so ever for me to catch you out in the street wearing that one piece gaucho outfit with summer sandals.

Happy Shopping!

This Next

2006-11-29T10:37:00.000-04:00

I just got an email from Kristopher Dukes of This Next "The Blog" fame alerting me to the inclusion of 99 Products review of Lorac's holiday eye palettes! This week just keeps getting better I tell ya.

For those that don’t know, This Next is a shopcasting network where you can discover, recommend and share things you love. These are real product recommendations from the real people who have tried, tested and loved them. This Next is all about the consumer and don’t we all just love that? I know I feel so much better about a product when I can get a first hand, unbiased account from a real consumer. Sometimes that makes all the difference when it comes to parting with my cash.

So check out This Next, and happy holiday shopping!

99 Products is now a part of The Glam Network!

2006-11-27T18:35:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to be a part of The Glam Network I am just grinning from ear to ear. I am in great company too. With ladies like the beautiful Ms. Julia from All About the Pretty, the fabulous Ms. Tia Williams from Shake Your Beauty and of course my super sweet sister The Makeup Girl calling Glam their home, I am just tickled pink! So many women trust and depend on Glam's refreshing and insightful articles to give them the inside scoop on beauty, fashion and all things fabulous and I am happy to contribute what I can to such a wonderful site.

So look for 99 Products at Glam.com!

Holiday Treats

2006-11-24T13:14:00.000-04:00

I sure hope everyone is recovering from Turkey Day this morning. I have already been throught the gauntlet that is Black Friday. A word of advice, go early and watch out in those parking lots! People are just crazy about a sale.

You might see a few changes going on at 99 Products in the next few days. I have been invited to join a few groups that I am just too excited about. These groups shall remain nameless until I get the final word.

However, since tis the season, and I am feeling super generous you can look for some great give aways and grab its from 99 Products in the month of December. I promise to have all sorts of goodies, reviews and tips coming soon just for you beauties.

Happy Holidays

The Moisture Chronicles - Bath Time

2006-11-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

As the holidays approach and we all start scurrying about to locate that perfect Christmas gift lets not forget to take good care of ourselves inside and out. My last post was on the wonders of moisturizers for your face, but there are plenty of areas that require moisture during the harsh winter months. Today I speak specifically about bath time moisture.

Its very hard to keep your skin soft and supple during the winter, but there are a few products that I have had wonderful luck with. I love my scented body washes, but most don’t afford me the type of moisture I really need during the winter. I keep a big bottle of Olay Complete Body Wash for Extra Dry Skin in my shower and in my gym bag all winter. Its a tried and true favorite that isn’t greasy and wont leave you feeling dry like soap. It has Shea Butter and we all know how great that is for thirsty skin. I usually follow up with Olay Moisturinse In Shower Body Lotion Deep Moisturization for Extra Dry Skin. This stuff is amazing, its like body conditioner. It rinses clean and smells amazing.

A few years ago I stumbled upon Palmers Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Oil in the local CVS. I have been a user of Palmers products since I was a little girl and a big fan of after shower body oil application. The oil is light and sweet smelling but not too sweet. Its like baby oil but a thinner consistency. It soaks in quickly and leaves your skin soft all day long. I use it year round, but its the type of product that lasts until you take off your clothes at the end of the day so "the boyfriend" is a HUGE fan of this one. If only I could get him to use it instead of Zest but I guess not everyone is as concerned with moisture as I am.

Protect Your Neck...

2006-11-18T20:03:00.000-04:00

and face ladies! Moisturizer is the key. Okay so you all know this and I am not telling you anything different or wonderful, but as Jack Frost takes over our respective cities, now more than ever it is so important to be well moisturized. The elements can have a lasting and harsh effect on our tender beautiful skin during those winter months.

This morning in my haste to get to our local Dutch Country Farmers Market, I neglected to apply my moisturizer combo. What a mistake that was. There is nothing worse than looking ashy in public even if all you are trying to do is by some bacon and fresh baked bread. Of course I try not to do this on a daily basis. My skin as I age will never forgive me for my youthful indiscretions. I try to do two things. I always apply a great sensitive skin moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher as a base and follow up with a thicker more protective one that will last on my skin all day.

I know you are thinking "why two?" Fair enough. I have yet to find a better day moisturizer than MAC Studio Fix Moisturizer. I love how it makes my skin look and feel. It also keeps my makeup looking flawless. Its fabulous, however it does NOT contain SPF a huge no-no. I love my Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 for its sun blocking and lack of irritation however by the time I get downstairs in the morning my skin feels dry as a bone. Silly I know, but you are also talking to the same woman who uses both soap and a body wash in her daily routine.

Of course you can skip all this dual moisturizing by grabbing some cost friendly alternatives Dove has several moisturizers with SPF. Olay has Reginerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion and Philosophy's When Hope is Not Enough offers SPF 20. There are plenty of products that can keep you looking beautiful all winter long. So don’t let me catch you ladies out there looking dry and windblown...and I will try not to let you catch me either!

Good Bye Old Friend

2006-11-15T10:28:00.000-04:00

This morning I was digging through my bath and body bin (yes I have a whole bin) looking for my dry oil spray when I stumbled across an empty jar of my favorite product in the world. The Body Shop Rice Bran Body Scrub. Years ago, The Body Shop decided to discontinue this product much to my dismay and I have never fully recovered from it.

Rice Bran Body Scrub was a creamy scrub made from rice grains that smelled like vanilla pudding and left my skin smooth and soft as butter. This was the type of product that I used almost every day. It was the perfect scrub, not too coarse and not too soft. Never slippery and left you silky smooth and moisturized and it rinsed away squeaky clean.

When they discontinued it they didn’t tell anyone. It just started disappearing from their shelves which had me on the hunt at every Body Shop in the Tri-State area. I had friends and family searching from DC to CA for that stuff but I only managed to stockpile two additional jars. About six months after it had disappeared from US Stores my mother returned from London with one jar in tow. She found it hiding in the Body Shop in Heathrow Airport. Of course it was the very last jar in the store but she knew how crazy I was about the stuff and she was surprised they still had it.

Needless to say, I have never found a product that comes anywhere close to the original. I contacted the Body Shop and they were sure that it would not return. One associate said it didn’t sell very well, which I guess is the case with most cosmetics that go to the beauty product graveyard.

So in honor of my beloved Rice Bran Body Scrub, I will occasionally feature a product in the Gone But Not Forgotten category.

Rice Bran Body Scrub...you will be missed

Sunday Relaxation

2006-11-12T09:45:00.000-04:00

Good Morning my lovlies! Its a slow Sunday morning and one of my favorite times to go through my cosmetics and bath products. I love to gather up my favorite shower gels, souflees, butters and splashes and spend a good long stay in the bath. Its one of the few times I get to spend alone in this hectic house.
During my whirlwhind shopping spree at Sephora last week I lingered heavily over the Carol's Daughter section. For those that dont know, Carol's Daughter is a line of all natural products for hair, skin and body developed by Lisa Price. Lisa is one of those great sucess stories that I just love to hear about. She developed the products in her kitchen back in 1993, mixing natural ingrediants her grandmother had used on she and her mom. She started selling the homemade concoctions at church flea markets and they were an instant hit. Several years and famous investors later, Ms. Price has a multi-million dollar company offering over 300 different products. She has stores in both Harlem and Brooklyn and you can always order online. Needless to say, her products are some of my all time favorites.

In fact, Ms. Price was just on Lace Front's show on Friday. Jokes people, dont write me nasty letters about Tyra's wig I like her and I think she doing big things in this world. Anyway, Ms. Price was accompanied by Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige who are both Carol's Daughter devotees and investors. They are a part of the reason Ms. Price is working it out in Sephora, and I am SO happy about that. I actually heard about Carol's Daughter back in 2000 when my ex-boyfriend brought me back a few products from her Harlem store. I laughed when he told me to refridgerate them, but I was in LOVE with the products, and I followed her closely and started purchasing from her online the minute the website was up and running.

So, today's product(s) is Carol's Daughter Ecstacy Collection. The Ecstasy Shea Souffle is a dreamy blend of cocoa-butter with notes of pineapple, peach, mango, strawberry, vanilla and a touch of Egyptian musk. It makes for such a delicious scent combined with their Ecstasy Body Cleansing Gel and Ecstasy Sea Salt Body Scrub . Lisa says the trick to making your fragrance last is layering and most ladies dont do this. I try to do this as much as possible and I think Bath and Body Works thanks me for my generous donations. There are many more collections and fragrances that you can find on the Carol's Daughter website and in Sephora, so go pick them up, and I'll get back to my Sunday Morning ritual.

Enjoy your day bathing beauties!

Two For The Road

2006-11-09T21:12:00.000-04:00

Okay I am extra tired of lying around, so I think I will finally do that review I was promising on Lorac's new holiday palettes. Remember when I went over to Sephora on lunch? Seems like a lifetime ago now, but it was only Monday go figure. Oh by the way I also got my Sephora Holiday Catalog and WHOOO HOOO!

Lorac did it again ladies. Carol Shaw designed some of the best wearable no fuss makeup that’s always hidden in sleek and trendy packaging. Lorac never fails to please, especially this season. I am a huge fan of their eye shadows. They offer great colors and the finishes are divine. They also wear light as air and do not crease, which for an on the go girl like me is ideal. I don’t want to spend my time re-applying eye shadow in the middle of the day. I want to grab it and go and feel confident it won’t let me down.

So I spent about 10 minutes going back and forth over two of their holiday face palettes, Snake Charmer and Croc. Both are equally beautiful and wearable which is what had me so completely confused and indecisive. I wanted both! They are also both perfectly purse sized and portable, which I love because I cram my purse with anything that will fit. However, like I told yall before, I almost lost my mind in there and with each palette costing $35 I was NOT able to part with the cash for both.

Snake Charmer has eye shadows in Enchanted Ivory, Mystical Gold, Charming Copper, and Royal Brown and includes a blush in Hypnotically Peach. Lorac describes the palette colors as exotic, warm, shimmery leather tones. I was very excited about the Mystical Gold and Royal Brown in the palette, but I couldn’t get past its faux snakeskin jeweled exterior. Totally unexpected and for the right lady a super stylish find.

The Croc palette was filled with eye colors in Moonstone, Serenity, Garnet and Suede with blush in Soul. I literally spent 10 full minutes wrestling with the idea of buying both and then trying to decide which of the two would wind up in my purse. Decisions decisions. In the end I chose the Croc palette, but only because I felt I could get more everyday wear out of the colors. Not that I couldn’t wear that Mystical Gold in Snake Charmer, but soft is really my bag.

So I wore those colors every day this week (except today) and I love them in every combination I could muster. So, for a gift either is wonderful and they are only $35 a piece which isn’t break the bank territory. Just put it on your Christmas list for you or for someone special.

Work it Out

2006-11-08T16:43:00.000-04:00

I was going to do a post on Lorac's two new eye palettes today, but I am busier than a groupie at All Star Weekend. Life is just like that sometimes ladies and I am sure you all get your fair share. Since I cant give you the details today, I promise (If I feel up to it) I will log on tomorrow and dish. In the mean time, check out what my savvy homegirls are chatting about today.

Julia from All About the Pretty has the scoop on Neimans Scent Event today.
My sister themakeupgirl wants to tell you all about the Butta baby...Shea that is.
Afrobella has some great christmas gift ideas that you might want to check out for the beauties in your family.
City-itis will have you smelling oh so pretty
Beauty Addict wants you to know her "if you were stuck on a desert island" must have.
Ellen over at Lipstick Powder N Paint will get you up to speed on TINte Cosmetics.

These are my homegirls so I know you all will show them some extra love!

Fieldtrip

2006-11-07T10:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, after trying to convince myself that I had no reason to leave the office at lunchtime, I went to Sephora. I only had plans to nose around and peek at the new holiday gift sets however, things did NOT go as planned. I think they slipped me a Kenzo micky because I was in there shopping like there was no tomorrow. Since I bought plenty of stuff, there will be plenty of reviews this week as I test them all for quality and ease of use

Speaking of ease, I was just about to pay for my purchases when I spotted this cute little box with a deep purple ribbon at in front of the cashier. Inside was one of my favorite fragrances, Stella by Stella McCartney. It was pursed sized and was made with a little roll-on tip. I almost jumped for joy. Now that it seems like I have a new meeting every five minutes, its important for me to be "on my game" when it comes to looking and acting the part. I like the idea of being able to arrive for a meeting and dab a little of this on before I spend two hours hunkered down over a site plan or discussing easements with a room full of men (dont ask) especially after being in the car for an hour.

I love Stella's blend of Rose, Peony Flower Mandarin, and Amber. Its a great floral fall fragrance that is both gentle and sophisticated. I immediately started looking for Stella in Two her new signature fragrance(s) but I couldnt locate it/them. Anyway, this lovely little roll on bottle was just what I needed to finish off my shopping excursion and I happlily paid the $10 for my little purse sized pick me up. I have already been complemented on it a few times today and that means its paid for itself... I think.

You Get What You Pay For

2006-11-06T10:34:00.000-04:00

Its funny what you can stumble across in the course of your day. A few weeks ago I ordered something small from the Neiman Marcus website, and they threw in a free gift. I free gift from Chanel sounded like an oxymoron but I figured I might give it a test run. The free product was Chanel's Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream. It came in a tiny little glass container and the tiny little insert that came with it read "Skin becomes beautifully taut. Silken and supple. Glowing with the look of good health". Its made from the Vanilla Planifolia plant found in farthest reaches of Madagascar.

So last week I started dabbing on a little (very little) under and around my eyes, on my forehead and where my laugh lines will be some day soon. The first thing I noticed was that it made my skin unbelievably soft and supple. I didn’t really see taut, but I was going to bed and who needs to be taut while they sleep? This morning, after my 5th evening of dabbing, I realized how smooth and line free my skin looked. I was shocked! Well, maybe not THAT shocked this stuff is Chanel. My skin is soft all day, and I venture to say that the texture has changed as well. Its just an overall improvement in look and feel.

So when I got into the office this morning I decided to see how much my "free" gift is regular priced. I am so sorry I did. A 1.7 ounce jar is $350!! Who can afford that? I sure cant. So ladies while I love the results, I just don’t have that kind of disposable income and I don’t know many ladies that do. Basically, Sublimage is great if you have the cash for it, and it does what it claims to do, without causing breakouts, but unless you are willing to head your own expedition to Madagascar, its gonna cost you. My next assignment is to find out what works just as well for considerably less. Today's product must have a cost conscious cousin that I can use, and when I find it I will report back. Wish me luck!

Dollars and Scents and other stuff too!

2006-11-03T11:55:00.000-04:00

Its payday and for those that don’t know, its fieldtrip time for Avin. I am making my pilgrimage to Sephora and MAC today at lunchtime, just to see whats new and what needs reporting. I was fishing around on Sephora.com and they have put out quite a few of their holiday sets. Now I love a good holiday gift set. In fact most of my holiday shopping is accomplished right in the Sephora store. They have a few that I simply MUST take a peek at.

First there is Bliss Twinkle Toes "Step-By-Step" Pedicure Set. This set includes Hot Salt Scrub, Manicure's Best Friend nail cream, Foot Patrol exfoliating cream, a pair of toe separators, and deep red Sephora nail polish. This one is going to be hard not to keep for myself.

Also, the folks at Fresh, who have always impressed me with their Brown Sugar scrubs have a three piece “A Spoonful of Sugar” fragrance set that I am dying to try out. Each are 0.5 ounces of Eau de Parfum Spray in scents like Lychee Sugar, Sugar Blossom and Lemon Sugar. I just may pick up a new jar of Sugar Face Polish & Rice Face Cream.

There is also a great Ojon 5 - Piece "Try Me" Hair Ritual Kit that includes Kit includes Restorative Hair Treatment, Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, Ultra Hydrating Conditioner, Revitalizing Mist, Shine & Protect Glossing Mist that one of my lucky chicas will find under her tree.

If I manage to purchase what I need for my homegirls, I might put Philosophy's The Milkman or Candycane Suitcase on my own personal list. You know a girl cant pass up the opportunity to smell sweet.

Tame That Tree

2006-11-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

We ladies have always had a love/hate relationship with our hair, just ask anyone. That woman you saw at the corner this morning with the long flowing tresses who you think couldn’t have a bad hair day if she were being attacked by birds is probably cursing the very hair you covet. I myself have been blessed/cursed with what at times can only be described as a Chia Pet. Some days its shiny and bouncy and my curls are full and healthy looking. Other days it looks like someone just rescued me from the Potomac River.

After years of fighting with it, pleading, begging and brushing to exhaustion I have finally found a few products that make it a bit more manageable. The first of which is Salerm 21, which is a protein rich leave in conditioner that I found at my salon. Salerm 21 is not terribly expensive, however it is difficult to locate as its a product made in the Dominican Republic. My hairdresser imports it and sells it in her shop, but if you don’t go to her, it can be a tricky find.

I've had a little luck on line, but its no where near as affordable especially once you factor in Shipping and Handling. Salerm 21 is a lightweight cream that I put in right after a fresh wash. It detangles, and strengthens without drying or making my hair frizzy. It dries clear and without flaking whether blow-drying or air drying. It also protects your hair from the damage that can occur from heat styling.

I also use Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercream as both a curl enhancer and moisturizer. Its fab for blow-drying, and really gets you that straight look without making your hair look and feel like straw. It also dries to perfection as a curl aid, giving you that bouncy healthy shine us curly girls want so desperately. Miss Jessie's also offers a Curly Pudding that I use on occasion to help lock in my curls, and a Curly Meringue that imparts both shine and hold. You can find all of her products on line at missjessies.com, however these products are NOT cheap. A jar of Curly Buttercream will set you back $58 large. The jar is big enough to last me about 6 months which if you do the math only works out to about $10 a month if you need to justify the price.

I personally couldnt live without Salerm 21 or the Buttercream now that I know they can tame this tree and if you have an unruly tree of your own, give them a try, or one of those Lace Front Wig's Tyra Banks seems so fond of... but I would advise against it.

Tricks & Treats

2006-10-31T11:51:00.000-04:00

Okay ladies, I know its All Hallows Eve but lets not overdo it with the makeup. I know some of you are going to want to test out your skills this evening and that’s great, (go ahead be bold with it) but your everyday makeup should not send chills up the spines of your coworkers. I haven’t seen anything particularly frightful today, but the day isn’t over and there is bound to be someone wearing a shade of blue eye shadow scarier than any slasher film.

My product pick for today is Mary Kay Satin Lips set which consists of the Lip Mask and Lip Balm. I hear you all squirming out there, YES Mary Kay. Now I am not a huge fan of their hard sell tactics but I do LOVE these two products. I simply could not go through a harsh Maryland winter without them. The Lip mask contains gentle buffing beads that help slough off the dead skin that make uniform application of lipstick so difficult.

The Lip Balm is my saving grace. clear and smooth its a non-greasy colorless formula that instantly smoothes the roughest lips, protects against the elements, and works fabulously under any lipstick, gloss or stain without wearing off or changing the consistency of what you've applied. I usually carry at least one tube with me all year long because its not just a winter product, its great for summer too.

I put some on under my lip color this morning at 7:45 (MAC lip pencil in Swirl, MAC Lipstick in Double Shot, Lusterglass in Beaux) and two meetings and two cups of Green Tea later, my lips are still silky smooth and soft. You don’t have to use much either, a little goes a long way trust me!

So save your lips ladies, stop using that drugstore lip moisturizer at the bottom of your purse and invest in this set and at $18 how could you go wrong?! Your lovely lips will thank you! Oh and the link to Mary Kay comes up under a wonderful lady who wont give you the hard sell either. How do I know? She's "the boyfriend's" mom of course! I couldn’t have wished for a better potential mother-in-law than a fellow beauty addict!! We beauty product gals have to stick together!

Still Tippin

2006-10-28T23:45:00.000-03:00

My membership in the "Die Hard Mariah Carey Stan" Fan Club became official the day that I adopted her shoe quote from MTV Cribs. While strolling through her emense closet (while the rest of us drooled) she waded through racks and racks of beautifully expensive shoes. Daintily picking up a pair of faboulous sticks to adorn her stems, she uttered this phrase.

"The shoe that I favor is a high stiletto, and the designer that I favor is
anyone thats going to stick to that motif"

If you saw my closet you would know that in my opinion truer words have never been spoken. I love a nice high stiletto shoe. Just ask themakeupgirl she knows. She has infact (recently) been witness to my devotion. Naturally I am exstatic about the new movement towards pointed-toe stilettos.

Nine West has some great ones that are fashionable, sexy, work appropriate (in some cases) and wont damage your credit rating. My new faves are reds, animal prints and peep toes and Nine West has them all. They also have a great collection of fall boots that my wallet wont let me support right now but I do have a gift card that will go to a great new pair of cute fall shoes! Dont let Mariah catch you slipping ladies, go support that habit.