THE ADVICE SISTERS
THE ADVICE SISTERS
WHAT WORKS BEAUTY REVIEW COLUMN
SPRING 2004
Refresh your mind, spirit and image with something new for Spring. Shimmer, glimmer, pink, pastel, bright, bronze and berry are fashion watchwords, but the big news are the new, sheer, light-as-air formulas that let you layer products for a wide variety of looks. Use them alone, together, or with your existing makeup, to give them new life. Nudes and pastels replace deeper, Winter colors. Shimmer, high shine and "dewy" looks take over from glitter and metallics. Fragrances are fresher, lighter, and fruitier, often combined with a soft floral. Aromatherapy features "home-y"scents like vanilla, lavender, and citrus.
The Advice Sisters have reviewed the best-of-the-best beauty products, cosmetics, fragrances, and gifts and this is one of our largest reviews, ever. Whether you want a big makeover, an inexpensive update, or you need a special gift for Mother's Day (May 9th in the USA, March 31st in the UK), consult our column and then get what you want quickly and easily from our BUYING GUIDE at the bottom of this column.
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EYES - Your eyes are focal point of your face, so play them up! Have fun with iridescent or pearly white or the sheerest hint of color, glimmed with shimmer or pearl. Make eyes pop with bright blue, green and violet. New, sheer, formulas let you make a wide variety of looks from just one product. The flatter everyone, and go with everything! Sonia Kashuk offers three Eye Palettes $12.99-$14.99 with six, special edition shadows in slim compacts. We tried "Creamy Dreamy" which has sexy, shimmery creme shadows in metallics and neutrals, plus a dark brown shadow base and a dual-sponge applicator. The shadows smoothed on easily, didn't feel greasy, and lasted a long time. Wear them alone, or layer them over a powder shadow to pump up the color and give a flattering gleam. If you'd prefer to choose your own colors, Enhance Eyeshadow $5.99 Generous rectangles of sheer powder come in Spring-ready colors such as "periwinkle" (lilac blue), "Cashmere" (pinkish beige) and "Sadye Pink" (baby peachy-pink). Add a base, they'll stand up to almost anything - we're impressed!
Selecting a shadow is all play and no work with versatile, Play On Eye Shadow $15.00 from Biotherm. These glorious, sheer, weightless shadows that let you decide how much color you want on your lids. No need to worry about caking I[ or looking heavy, because the geniuses at Biotherm have worked it out so that no matter how much you put on, it looks great! We tried "501 ," a sheer apricot with a hint of shimmer - a perfect lid or highlight color. This also looks wonderful as a liner. "425" is a glam-slam burgundy-red that gives your eyes evening star power as a liner, highlighter and at corner of our eyes to open them up. Barelight Eye and Face Hook Up Stack $6.00 or three for $15.00 by MARK have innovative packaging and are nice, inexpensive, products that make sense for modern women. They're a completely affordable, guilt-free indulgence! Clear cubes of plastic hold eye, cheek and lip colors that lock to one another as easily as sliding in a drawer. Put them together to tote, or pull apart for just one. We tried Skylight "Lumiere Celeste," a sheer eye cream that is light blue and just right for Spring, and Barelight "Lumiere Voilee" a pearly fawn. The products are a good balance between cream and powder, made with brighteners and light-diffusing pigments that go on very smooth and sheer. Use these on your brow bone or to highlight your face, too. We hope MARK brings even more colors to this system because it's really good. One of the prettiest palettes for Spring is from Tony & Tina...a fave of ours at any time of year. Tucked into a sleek, silvery case in the Everything Nice Special Edition Eye Palette $32.00 are matte and satin (slightly pearly) pastel "Color Frequency" eye shadows in baby blue, lilac, soft green, pink and yellow, that look as pretty as an Easter basket. These colors are perfect to add punch to your eyes. They'd make a great gift for Mom, a bride-to-be, or a special friend...or tuck it into an Easter Basket for a non-fattening treat any woman would love. We have always loved mineral makeup for it's natural qualities and UV protection against the sun's harmful rays. New to our column is glo™ Minerals, a notable line of products uniquely formulated for skin care professionals and their clients. We tried GloEye Shadow $16.00 and were impressed. Reviewers raved over the sophisticated colors (there are nearly two dozen) and the way the finely milled powder stays put, and feels very silky. We tried "Sky," a soft pearly light blue, and "Lilac," and equally soft, pearly lilac. We're looking forward to reviewing more. Maybelline Expert Eyes Shadow Quad $5.95 gives your eyes new color and excitement for just a few dollars. We tried "Urban Scene" with a bright teal blue, a light blue-green, a white pearl, and a plum .For an edgy new look, color lids with the stark white, line with bright teal. Another nice choice is Maybelline Expert Eyes Shadow Trio $5.25 which comes in a wide variety of color combinations. "Lids Of Lilac" is also pretty (it's just so hard to choose only one) with plum, lilac, and white to color, line, highlight and mix or match with other Maybelline shadows. For something new try Maybelline Cool Delights $6.00, a portable color quartet of cream shadows, in six color combos. "Totally Turquoise," (shimmery white, baby blue, turquoise and dark blue) and "Pinch of Purple" (shimmery white, deep aqua, light pink and lavender) are sheer enough to get just a hint of color, but you can apply more layers for more color. Prestige Beauty Bar Eye Palette $5.95 offers up a fresh, new Spring look in a clear Lucite compact with mini sponge applicator. "Techno" will flatter cool complexions with pearly mauve, pink, white and deep plum liner/definer shadows that are just perfect for Spring. For more drama, add Prestige Soft Kohl Eyeliner $4.95 in deep plum, "Jasmine." This liner with smudger tip glides on as smoothly as high-priced brands. A little change can make a big impression! From more than a dozen shades, we chose Stark, white "Mystery" Eye Shadow by Caboodles $3.45 because it looks modern and exciting however you use it. Try it alone as an eye-catching lid shadow (we like it with a deep, colored liner), a highlighter, or mix it with one of your existing shadows to create a softer, Springtime pastel! This is completely affordable makeover magic! Avon Beyond Color Triple Benefit Eyeshadow $7.00 does a lot for the budget-minded as well as for your eyes. It has alpha hydroxy and fruit acids to improve skin texture, and moisturizing pigments that reduce the tendency of creams to settle in fine lines and wrinkles. What we really like is how the color smoothes on easy and quickly, dries fast, and stays put! Ditto Beyond Color Lash Fortifying Mascara $7.00 with good-for-you ingredients to protect and condition lashes at it beautifies. Smart and inexpensive! Giorgio Armani’s Loose Powder for Eyes is just the thing for a luxe look that can cross over from day to evening. In a jewel-sized shaker is a silky wash of beautiful color that envelopes the eyes. "#1" is a shimmering, medium blue that is gorgeous for a smoky evening look. Sheer pink with a hint of iridescence makes "#2" universally flattering on all skin tones; perfect for spring’s pastels! "#3" is a sparkling cross-color combination of orange, pink and taupe. Splurge on a few. They're new, glamour classics! Canary Cosmetics, new to our review. This small, family-run company mixes small batches of mineral powders by hand - most loose, mulit-use powders. They include only iron oxides, mica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and, as with all mineral products, they are free of chemical additives so they are gentle and non-irritating. These are quite intense - a little goes a long way. Alas, our samples were damaged, but we were able to salvage two Eye Shadows $19.00. "Cocoa," a deep brown for lids or liner, and "Golden Brown," a sparkly yellowed light brown, looked amazing on light skin, sexy as it gets on deeper complexions. We liked the ease with which these can be applied with a brush, a sponge, or your finger, and they cling onto your lids until you wash them off! Max Factor Stretch & Separate Waterproof Mascara $10.00 is new, smudgeproof, and waterproof. It goes on relatively "dry" so it plumps without too many clumps. It really does separate lashes, so they look longer and bigger. Ours lasted through a sad movie and a rainstorm. It's safe for contact lens wearers (a rarity with waterproof mascara). Choose black or black-brown. This Max Factor is destined to become one of your favorites. M·A·C "Hypnotique" collection is all about color and texture (and what's not to love about M·A·C )? For eyes, a standout is an Eye Shadow $12.50 called: "Naked Lunch" a sexy, pearly-browned-pink that straddles the line between Spring's brights and always-right nudes. We suggest lining your lids with "Hepcat," a limited edition, gorgeous, deep blue-wine that looks pretty amazing with other light shadows such as buttercup-yellow "Unorthodox" - a limited edition, light pearly yellow. We liked Hepcat liner with this shadow, too and if you're adventurous, use it as a deep purple shadow and skip liner altogether. R.E.M isn't just the name of a rock band, it's also a new eye gel called R.adiant E.ye M.ovement by Cargo $19.00 It comes in four light shades, but we tested "The 401" which looks white in the tube. Surprisingly, it slides onto lids as a really beautiful, sheer wash of iridescent silver with mauve highlights. We used just a little, applying the gel with the enclosed wand. Add more, and the color takes on intensity and complexity. If you want just one new item for eyes that really makes a statement, get these. Shimmering color is instantly yours with Morgen Schick Cosmetics Eye Attractions $16.50. This golden, glimmery cream eye color is easily applied with a wand. The glimmery, iridescent color is creamy (not gooey), blends easily, and comes in the perfect ivory shade to highlight your eyes. Get this one, and you'll know for sure what it’s like to have stars in your eyes. Perk up your winter-weary lids, Hollywood style! GirlActic Beauty is the brainchild of celebrity makeup artist Galit Strugano, whose funky glitter products and makeup have attracted fans such as Carmen Electra, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and Julia Roberts. We reviewed her glitter for eyes a few years ago in our Focus on the Eyes. If glitter isn't your thing, try a Star Shadow $12.00 in one of a dozen, super-pearly colors from deep grey to" Butter Shine" (beige). We also liked "Satin," a pearly nude, and fresh, bright-green "Flash," which especially flatters redheads and brunettes. Reviewers raved over Star Bushes $12.00-$16.00. Each comes in an adorable, baby-pink leatherette case that also has room for a handful of your other favorites...and they have a nifty, magnetic, snap closure. The Liner brush (sable) is just $12.00. The case alone is worth the price! The brightly-colored Eye Cake $19.00 by Pop Beauty works it's magic on your eyes in multiple ways. Use dry, or wet (for more intensity), you'll get five stripes of bold color in blue, green or pink that look Easter-Egg bright in their cute, round, tins, but are actually sheer, and perfectly pretty. Use the lightest shades for a highlighter, the middle shades for lids, the darkest for a liner, or just blend them together. Greens flatter hazel and green eyes, pinks pop blue eyes, and the blues for brown-eyed girls. Choose just one? Impossible!
Pure Color Cool by Estée Lauder uses the latest technology to make a line of sheer colors that go on like whipped cream and feel a bit "cool" when you apply them. We tried Pure Color Cool Eye Mousse $20.00 in "Cool Coconut." We liked the light, airy (like mousse) feel. We added just a tiny bit to give our eyes a subtle, pearly shine. As we added more, we got a super-pearly shimmer that would be especially nice for a special occasion. Also new and notable are Estée Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow Trios $30.00 in "Extreme Bright" colors. Stunning trio-colored "bulls eyes" in gorgeous, "icy" cubes of clear Lucite, give you startlingly bold (or pastel if you mix) effects. The "Hot Blue" trio is has intense colors including stark white, bright turquoise blue, and deep chocolate brown. The shadows feel creamy but they last, and can be layered for a variety of effects. We also tried "Hot Fuchsia" - white, hot pink and charcoal. We combined the blue and white, and pink and white in each kit to create a gorgeous pastel and linked with the brown and grey. This is sophisticated makeup -- at it's best. Mascara frames eyes, and the look for Spring is for long, lush lashes. We didn't test Bourjois Pump up the Volume Waterproof Mascara $13.00 in the water, but (based on our terra-firma test), this one is a winner! It thickens without clumping, and tenaciously clings to your lashes, until you remove it. We particularly liked the curvy, sexy cases and modern colors: intense plum "Violet M'as-tu vu," and teal blue "Blu Croistte" are great examples of the colored eye liner trend so hot, now. There's also "Noir Glamour," and "Brun Starlette," a traditional black and brown, for traditionalists. Clinque High Impact Eye Shadow Quad $25.00 delivers high-impact color in a single sweep. No wimpy sheers, these colors are bold, but blendable. They stay put until you remove them with eye makeup remover. There are five, fab, combos: "Polar Blue" contains a pearly eggshell highlighter, shimmery brown and blue-grey lid shadows, and a dramatic, grayed-blue liner; "Island Breeze" is a slightly lighter, matte version. These quads are blendable, and really fun to use. We love the shiny, silvery-topped mirrored compacts, too. Finish the look with Clinique Superfine Liner for Eyes $13.50, a very thin, swivel-up, soft, self-sharpening pencil that lets you draw a perfect line without tugging, and the water-resistant formula lasts for hours. We tried deep grey "Skyscraper," but there's also "Midnight" (a very pretty deep blue), and "True Black" (black). Frame your sophisticated eyes with High Impact Mascara $13.50 (in black or black/brown) that genuinely volumizes the length and width of your lashes with deep, rich color, and stays put until you take it off. You simply can't go wrong! Tony & Tina has dozens of delightful, Color Frequency Eye Shadow $16.00 colors, but a new and notable duo that you'll definitely want for Spring is "Raindrops & Snowflakes," a versatile combo of pearly soft, medium blue shimmer with and equally pearly, stark white that looks almost silver on lids. Wear dry or wet (for more intensity). Mix them together for a lighter look, wear them separately, or use the blue as a liner. Good for your skin vitamins and chamomile help keep eyes looking their best, too. This is a really pretty choice for a new, uplifting, and modern look. For portability and flexibility, nothing beats Cover Girl Eye Slicks Gel Eye Color $4.50 - shimmery colors condition with cucumber and aloe. Pearly "Luminous Rose" is a peachy-pink that will work well as a highlighter and/or a lid color. Ditto, "Luminous Beige," a stunning champagne. For evening glam, "Midnight Metal" (metallic silver) or super-pearly, white "Moondust" (paired with a brightly colored liner) would be nice. Frame you look with Multiplying Mascara $5.99 in "Black x 2" by Cover Girl. This new formula thickens lashes, separates, and lengthens. It's safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, so so inexpensive so you can get a new one for Spring, and still have lots left over in your budget for eye shadows! If you're someone who prefers "natural," Burts Bees lipstick $9.50 gives you a nice and affordable option. These lovely lipsticks contain Vitamin E and comfrey to moisturize, and just a hint of peppermint to tingle your lips. Seven new colors range from warm pink to rich purples. We liked "Latte," a creamy nude that just adds comfort and the tiniest hint of color for that "Earth mother but better" look. For a bit more color, "Pomegranate" is a deep red fuschia, "Eggplant," a shimmery purple. BLUSH: Wash away the pale of Winter, instantly, simply by applying a bit of blush. No other cosmetic product can do so much to transform your look (and your attitude). Whether you perfer cremes , powders or gels, "sheer" is what you want, now, from bright pink to lightest beige. It may be Spring, but the new, Laura Mercier "Summer Solstice Collection," debuts in April. Three Créme Cheek Colors $22.00 perk up your complexion right through the summer. These formulas are superb - light as air, non-greasy, and sheer-for-layering. They really produce a credible, "born-with-it" blush. We tried it in various conditions - it lasts and stays true to color. "Sun Tan" is matte brown. Pink "Sunset Beach" and bronze "Sun Ray" have a hint of shimmer for a gorgeous glow. These are just beautiful products. Caboodles Crazy Crayon $3.99 is a pearly mix of color for lips, eyes and cheeks. We tried "Escape," a super-shimmery medium peach that looked pretty, everyplace we applied it. Affordable and portable, a multi-purpose crayon (or two, or three) should be a staple in your makeup bag! Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush $7.99 is a generously-sized rectangle of sheer powder that comes with a chubby, Lucite-handled mini blush brush. "Lilly" is a very pretty medium rose with a hint of gold shimmer that is universally flattering, to give you a Spring glow! For those who like gels, Chubby Cheek Sheers $7.99 ad a sheer, dewy hint of pink or peach to winter-weary faces. "Super Sheer Beach Bum" is a hot pink that will flatter cool complexions, and "Super Sheer Summer Girl" is a bright orange that goes on "peachy" and flatters warm-toned skin. PINK is the color most likely to quickly put a glow on your face. Maybelline makes it easy and affordable with Blush Brush $5.50 a soft and sheer powder bush in dozens of pretty shades. There's a baby-pink for the tiniest hint of color, and medium rose which will flatter virtually every complexion. At this price you can afford to get a few in warm and cool, pink and peach, to coordinate with all your Spring clothes. Mary Kay Signature Eye Shadow $6.50 comes in dozens of fashion-conscious colors. The colors are intense, long lasting, and creamy. We found that they resisted creasing too. You can just use the pans as-is, or pop two of them into a mirrored compact with applicator $8.00. It's hard to choose just a few favorites, but reviewers particularly liked the "Jungle" duet, with deep, matte teal and pearly green-gray called 'Blue Lagoon;" the deep, matte khaki and shimmery gray-green called "Jungle," and we also think the deep matte chocolate brown and rusty "Double Espresso" is two lid looks plus liner looks in one. Warm brown "Woodland" would be complimented beautifully with the medium-toned, matte peach called "tropical sun." Vincent Longo's Face Paint Palettes $32.50 are an instant update for your face. Long wearing trios of beautiful cremes in soft floral shades (violet, pink rose and apricot) flatter lips, cheeks and eyes. Apply with your fingertips or a sponge or puff. These light-as-air cremes are so sheer that you can add just a hint, or add more intensity. You can ever layer two together for an entirely different look. Three new trios (in those chic, sleek, shiny Longo cases) include:Passion Grape (plums/cool), Smooth Spice (neutrals/warm) and Light Ray (pinks/rose-gold highlight).We liked them all. You, too, may have trouble picking just one. If you want to invest in a truly good, multi-purpose makeup item this Spring, these are custom made for you! Want come-hither eyes? Victorias Secret Very Sexy Lashes Intensifying Mascara $12.00 gives you full, healthy lashes and conditions them, too. Add layers as far as you dare to continue to plump up lashes! Slide Duotint Cheek and Lip Hook Up Stack $6.00 or three for $15.00 by MARK together with a couple of others, and you've created your own face kit! These nifty, clear, cubes slide together but let you see exactly what's inside. We tried "Double Glow Éclat Double" which is a pearly, sheer peach for cheeks and lips that looked wonderful on all of us and "Double Beam Rayon Double" which warmed up cheeks and lips with just a hint of nude. Add more layers if you want more than just a touch of color and you're set! The silky, non-greasy cream to powder stays true to color. Those with oily skin will love the fact that high-tech silicas trap excess oil . You look radiant, not greasy. Add a becoming glow with a new blush/highlighter and blush/bronzer combo called Added Brilliance Blush and Highlighter $14.00 by beComing. "Tint" is a pretty, sheer, warm hint of soft peach that gives pale to medium skin a soft, sun-kissed glow with matte or pearl finishes (or use them together). "Bronzer" uses a soft touch to give a hint of summery bronze to medium to deeper complexions. The colors are really pretty and look natural, but better than "bare." You'll want at least one for this season.
glo™ minerals glo Blush $23.00 comes in more than a dozen warm and cool shades to flatter virtually everyone. The high-pigment color is intense (a little goes a long way) and leaves a born-with-it color that doesn't turn weird shades in the sun. Perfect to perk up winter-dulled complexions, and for the changing weather! For a seriously "glam" look that is pretty, not "loud," dust gloDust $24.00 onto your face, skin, hair and (yes!) feet! It will give you a touch of golden shimmer to all-out glitz, depending upon how much you use. We suggest using this liberally on the tops of your feet for get-you-noticed glamour with strappy sandals! Caboodles Oil Free Pressed Powder $3.99 is an inexpensive way to cut the shine and even out your skin tone. We tried "medium" which actually seemed fairly light and sheer. After running around for a few hours, we did notice that our oily skin was still under control. The packaging is not fancy - it's just a simple, clear, round compact without a mirror, but if you're looking for a product that does the job at a reasonable price, you've just found it! Ramy Beauty Therapy has a nifty Face Gloss $18.50 in six shades from brown to pink, that adds just a hint of dewy, sheer color not only to cheeks, but also to lips and eyes. "Face Candy" is a perfect, pearly, browned-rose that turns winter-dull faces into Spring-ready ones. Powder fans can reach for RAMY Bitch Slap! Powder Blush $19.00 which, as it's name implies, gives you a clear, slightly pearly-pink "just slapped" sting of color which looks amazing on pale to medium complexions. Adventurous? Wear it as a lid shadow, too, perhaps with a dusting of glitter. "...Pink pink, pink, pink Vibrations..." that's what we've been singing ever since we discovered 3'n'1 Bronzer $32.00 by Tony & Tina. We don't have to bake in the sun anymore to get a healthy but safe, sun-kissed glow even the Beach Boys would love. This trio of powders mixed with all sorts of good-for-you-skin ingredients, comes in a silvery, mirrored case with it's own, really great blush brush. Get "Bronze Vibrations," a traditional bronzer, or the new, browned-pink version, called "Pink Vibrations" that makes it easy for those of us with delicate complexions, to look "healthy" not orange! Those with deeper complexions will love this pink combo as a blush or highlighter, too. Self tanners have a long way since the first formulas, that instantly turned skin an unearthly orange. Some of our "brave" reviewers tried Estee Lauder’s Go Bronze Plus, Tinted Self-Tanner for Face $22.50 and declared it to be "South Beach in a bottle." This creamy, bronze colored cream (with SPF 15, no less) creates an instant glow that develops into a subtle “tan” after a few hours, without the harsh rays of the sun. We also tried Estee Lauder’s Go Bronze Plus $27.00, a tinted self-tanner for the body. Reviewers like the light scent, and also the fact that when you apply the cream (with moisturizers and powerful antioxidant protection), the instant tint that lets you see what spots you’ve missed. You'll get a subtle tan in a few hours with a slight shimmer. Now......can the sun do that?
For a temporary bronze, try Laura Geller’s Bronze Luminizer Foundation Stick $19.00. The coppery color is dark but nicely blends into a shimmery bronze that won’t overwhelm fair skin. Best of all, the luminizer is SPF-8 so you’ll be protected when you go out in the real sun. The layering of blush and bronzer can be annoying, but Laura Geller's Bronze-N-Brighten $35.00 is part bronzer, part blush, so you get both, in one! With products that multi-task like this, it's no wonder Laura Geller is one of the most popular makeup artists in New York City. Girlactik Beauty Star Blush $12.00 brightens your face in three pearly shades. The colors are sheer and very shimmery. We think "Havana" *bright, clear blue pink) would be pretty on every intensity of cool skin. "St. Tropez" (bronze) and "Corsica" (warm, deep apricot) would flatter more intense complexions, or bush a light touch all over for a sunkissed look. if you need an instant lift, apply a bit of Face Glimmer $16.00 in "Pink Diamond" to your checks - you'll get a very sexy, dewy glow. This would be particularly pretty as a party look, or for a special date or event when you want to look radiant, but not "obvious."
We liked the natural colors of Mary Kay Signature Blush $10.00 which you can pop into a compact, or use, as-is. These sheer powders go on smoothly and add a touch of natural color...or you can keep layering for fairly intense effects. New for the Season is a trio of pink tones. Light to medium complexions will like the medium-toned, clear pink called "Pink Flamingo", deeper complexions will like "Pink Sapphire," a warm deep rose. There is also a duet called "Mocha Blush" which features matte, medium and deep bronzers.
LIPS: light, shimmery and shiny, pinks, apricots, and neutrals, berries, stains, opaques, wet-look, conditioning, scented....whatever you crave.....the list goes on and on! Today's lip colors are sheer, so you can use them solo, mix them together, or give new life to lipsticks you already own. Whether you want a luxe splurge or an inexpensive pick-me-up, your fresh, new lip look awaits you! Anna Sui Lip Gloss $18.00 is new to our review this column and the verdict is?.....fabulous! he gloss is super shiny with a hint of glimmer. It is silky and soft..the ultimate wet look. There are nine shades, but we liked "#800" a clear gold with bits of iridescent glitter and a few, little gold stars sprinkled in (for decoration). "#305" looks bright pink the tube, but has only the merest hint of silvery glimmed, super-shiny pink gloss on your lips. These are just the thing for luxe lips and make a "must-have" for Spring into the Summer. Z New York Cosmetics by Zitomer has a Lipshine $15.00 with a really lovely, silky feel, a hint of color a lot of good moisturizer, and better yet, spf 15. They all have names of New York places. We tried "Da Bronx," a pretty, pearly peach that should make the Borough, proud. Choose from Cremes and Frosts in a large selection of Lipstick $16.00. We tried "Central Park"a truly shimmery copper that will look nice, now, and work this summer, too. We applaud Maybelline for making beauty products that are fashionable, but not far-out on price. Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds Liquid Lip Color $6.75 in "Clear Cut Diamond" for the trendy, sheer-shimmer look so popular this season. We are genuinely impressed with this shiny gloss that doesn't feel sticky. There are lots of pretty colors, but "Clear Cut Diamond" is a clear with tiny, silvery, iridescent glimmer that looks pretty on bare lips, and super-sexy layered over a darker lipstick, especially red! We've been fans of Cover Girl All Day Lipcolor $9.50 ever since we reviewed it more than a year ago in our Fall 2002 column. For Spring, pearls rule (play on words, intended)! "#558 Blush Pearl" (pink); "594 Plum Pearl (berry); and "#631 Nude Pearl" (beige) and are pearly, slightly warmed, soft colors that really last! Use the included, clear lip gloss to go from matte to shine. A lipstick doesn't necessarily have to be expensive to be worthwhile. Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick $4.15 with Vitamin A and E won accolades from reviewers, who said it was moist and long-lasting. "#853 Silver Plum" (mauve) gives you long lasting color, high shimmery shine, and tons of moisturizers. "#853 Silver Plum" (mauve) is pretty and new. "Rose Quartz Shimmer" gives you the pink and frosty look of a 1980's-era stewardess!
Giorgio Armani Lipsticks come in several enticing formulas including matte and smooth, but the Sheer Lipstick $22.50 gives lips a shiny stain that dresses up lips, without resorting to heavy, all-out opaque color. We loved " #21," a slightly shimmery, raspberry and "#20," a hot pink-magenta color that dries down to a glossy warm pink. Add one of these luxe lip colors with their matte, black tubes and light-as-air formulas, and to your collection, and boost your "chic" level For additional shimmer and shine, layer a new Armani Lip Shimmer $24.00 #9" on top (or wear this long lasting gloss alone) for a subtle but sexy, light pink super-shimmery-shine. Canary Cosmetics Colorful Lip Balm $3.95 comes in pink or yellow undertones, so there's one that is certain to match your skin. We tried "Brick Red," a yellow-based warm browned red with a matte finish that delivered wonderfully intense but natural looking color in a moist base. Cool toned complexions will like Bordeaux," a deep, shimmery, wine. You can use these as a blush, too! These lip colors are also fragrance free, so you don't have competing scents near your face when you are doing "close ups" with your partner! If you're on a budget this season, good news! You don't have to spend a fortune to update your look with quality cosmetics. Prestige has always been one of our favorites for following the hottest trends, and re-creating them for those who want to look like a million, for a lot less. Prestige Beauty Bar Lip Palette $5.95 in "Cafe Society" is in a chic, clear square compact with a cute, Lucite-handled, mini brush. You get four shades of pearly neutrals for a light, healthy glow on your lips. If it's possible to be "in love" with a lip gloss, that's just how we'd describe our new love - Origins Liquid Lip Color $12.00. Fifteen shades give you amazing, sexy, wet-look lips that gleam with sheer color and a bit of iridescence to push up the sex kitten factor a notch. Two of the newest are "Juicy Details" with a slightly orange tint, and "Pink it Over" which is also sheer, and tints lips just a bit. Aloe, Vitamin E and rice bran oil moisturize like a dream, while a cooling mint gives lips a bit of a "buzz. We also love Origins Rain and Shine Liptint with SPF 15 $12.00. Ten sheer shades beautify your lips which moisturize and protect your lips from the suns' harmful rays. They have medium shine, and a hint of vanilla mint that gives a slight tingle to lips. The colors we tried look dark in the tube, but when applied they look so sheer they are almost "nude." Cool complexions will be flattered by bright pink "Shazam" and warmer-toned skin looks great with almost-most, "Peach Party." For additional punch, we liked layering the Liquid Lip Color over the liptints, too. New to our reviews is Aura Science, recently purchased by none other than sexy, Victorias Secret! We tried Aura Science Reflect Double Shine for Crystal Lips, a voluptuous-looking bottle containing a luxe, liquid lip color that has glossy shine on the top, bright, beautiful color on the bottom. When you withdraw the special spatula-wand, they mix! "Tech Pink" is an incredible raspberry that gives lips a brilliant but sheer, "wet-look" that feels bright, shiny, and never sticky. There are six shades, in all. We hope to review more of Aura Science in future columns. If you have a tiny pocketbook but a big appetite for lip color, you'l like limited Edition Mary Kay Velocity End2End Lip Gloss $15.00. These are fruity-scented (but not overwhelming), dual-color wands that give shine with a hint of color. We tried"Wood/Boise" combo -a coppery-brown and beige, "Pink/Rose," with a lively golden rose, and a nearly-sheer shimmery pink and "Wood Wind/Whisper Cream" which delivers a subtle, pale-beige tint ( like light hitting your lips) and also a wine-colored, shimmer. We hope Mary Kay makes more of these! Prescriptives Moonbeam Reflective Gloss $17.50 has been flying off the shelves since it was introduced this Winter. A new pigment technology actually enhances light's reflective qualities, creating a shiny and shimmery look that doesn't feel sticky and makes your lips look sexy, full, and glossy. Add moisturizers to condition, soothe and help heal dry, chapped lips and you've got one very good gloss! Moon Beam Reflective Gloss comes in ten colors. We managed to snag two to try for you: "High Velocity" is a light, mauve-y pink that's perfect for cool complexions and "Eclipse" is a shimmery golden beige to flatter warm-toned skin, and tans everywhere, this summer. When our lips are seriously cracked, but they're too pale to "go without" a hint of color, we have started reaching for Aveda Lip Shine $13.50. You get color and high shine in seven pretty shades. The "just-bitten" effect you get is definitely pretty, but even better is the soothing, pampering feel of the gloss on our lips with moisturizers that last a long, long time. We also like the aromatherapy bonus - a scent of peppermint, cinnamon, anise and basic with a twist of vanilla. Whether you love pink, plum, brown berry, peach, roses or clear, there's a lip shine ready to make your lips lovely and pampered. Aveda Lip Tint $11.00 is the sportier, lighter version featuring glossier,shimmery color. It that also colors and conditions, but has SPF 15 to help deal with the sun's harmful rays. We liked the non-fussy, "lip balm" type twist up tube (in a 100-% recycled paper carton), and the superb conditioning plus a perky flavor of organic orange and spearmint with pomegranate!For ruby-red lips without the overwhelming intensity of an opaque lipstick, rejoice! Three Custom Color has a limited edition Lip Gloss $18.50 called "SC 2004" designed by none other than Sofia Coppola as part of the launch of a sparkling wine named "Sofia Mini Blanc de Blanc" (natch!) This beautiful gloss which gives your lips a natural red tint with a medium shine, but it's not too, too "red." We love the compact, too, which "swivels" open with a handy thumb grip, for fast and easy access, anytime, anywhere. Trish McEvoy Lip Colors $19.00 come in Cream, Glaze and Sheer. They're all gorgeous, but, following the trendy sheer and shimmer theme, we suggest Glaze Lip Color $18.00 for a new Spring choice. They give you a long-lasting, more-than-a-gloss, moisturizing tint with a hint of shimmer. There are several colors, but our reviewers specifically oohed and ahhed over "Sparkling Ginger," which looks bronze-glittery in the tube, but just simply shimmery with a hint of brown on your lips, "Sparkling Cherry," (hint of red) and "Sparkling Mulberry," (hint of raspberry). Inexpensive and quite delightful is Caboodles lipshine lipgloss $3.49 in a test-tube-like container. "Stoked" is one of nearly a dozen colors. It's a pearly white gloss that feels light on lips and won't break your budget. We also used it to tone down too-orange, purple and red colors. We also tried and absolutely raved over) Caboodles Lip Dee-Lish Lip Tint Flavored Lipgloss $4.99, a click-it pen wand filled with fruity-scented, super pearly and shimmery gloss. "Juicee" is a pearly, shiny apricot with a scent reminiscent of "Juicy Fruit" gum and it flattered almost all of us. There are more colors, and we hope to review them for you in the future. If you're a woman who needs more color than a gloss, but doesn't want the intensity of a lipstick, or if you just don't care for the shimmery lip look, you'll be devoted to Bobbi Brown Creamy Color Gloss $18.00. This is the best of both a chic, matte, lipstick, a lipstain, and moisturizing gloss in one, yummy, grapefruit scented product. The look is natural, but make no mistake -- they make a statement without resorting to glitter, glimmer, or "glop." Our favorites include pastel pink" (browned pink) and "Sunset" (lighter darker browned-pink). Two other flattering options include "Caramel" (rich browned mauve) and "Toast" (golden pink-brown). We have a feeling you'll want a few...and you'll be in luck....because there are ten new shades in all! Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Vinyl $20.00 comes in a chic, substantial Lucite cube and brings you intense color and a high-shine, wet look finish. We tried "White Energy" a brilliant white pearl that looks amazing alone, even better over one of your favorite lipsticks to give it additional characters. It's fun to use and to apply (yes, even in public)! For gloss in a wand fans, there's Pure Color Cool Gloss $20.00 that slicks on wet-look, but doesn't feel sticky. We sampled several new, Springtime shades; "Cool Petal" is a high-shine light pink, and 'Cool Melon," a high-shine apricot. "Cool Cocoa" is a shimmery coppery-brown, and our favorite is "Cool Coconut," a simply shiny, pearly white which makes a great "overlay" to soften any lipstick. M·A·C is known for it's cutting-edge and often, very bold colors. This Spring, they are showing their softer side. Start by lining your lips with a M·A·C Lip Pencil $11.50 in "Whirl," a deep,dusty rose. If your like your lips light, color them in with a Lipstick $14.00 in a light-as-air pink such as "Pink Aura," which is a limited edition baby pink with a hint of pearl, or go dramatic with the bright blue-pink-fuchsia "Flashtronic." For added appeal and sexy shine and shimmer, finish off your new, Spring lip look with a coat of fabulous, vanilla-scented M·A·C Lipglass $13.50 in "Magic Spell" which actually did work a bit of magic on our lips. This pearly, shimmery mauve on bare lips give them a bit of color, with tons of shine and shimmer. We also tried the hip "Dreamstate," which looks yellow in the tube, but actually turns a pretty golden shimmer on bare lips (we especially liked it over all our new pink and apricot lipsticks). Gloss Tastic See Through Lip Shine Hook Up Stack $6.00 or three for $15.00 by MARK comes in six shades with barely-there color to make your existing lipsticks look new again (and they're great solo, too). A high-tech formula provides superior moisturizing and conditioning along with a slightly minty fragrance. We loved "Pinksicle Glace À La Rose," a super-sheer, shimmery, iridescent pink that made lips look really lovely, and "Crystal Clear Pur Crystal," offering nothing but clear, non-sticky shine and a hint of mint. We recommend this even to non-makeup wearers who just want a great lip moisturizer, because the clear gloss in the clear case just looks so cool! At just $5.00 per gloss, we were amazed...and you will be, too. Didn’t make it out to Palm Beach for Spring Break this year? Morgen Schick Satin Slimstick Lipcolor $12.50 in “Palm Beach” is the next best thing. The sexy apricot color—applied to your lips like a pen—is the perfect pastel shade to get in the mood for Spring…even when you’re stuck at home. Those who like berries will like the Luscious Lip Quad $18.50 which features three lip lacquers (plum, peach and cherry) and one lipstick stain (warm berry). The stain lasts the longest. The small size makes it easy to toss in your bag for in-a-minute makeovers. Victorias Secret Soothing Bedtime Lip Balm called Balmy Nights $5.50 might be the sexiest RX for lips we've ever seen! We slicked this shiny, soothing, minty-scented lip balm on our dry, flaky lips and our lips had a flattering sheen. More importantly, they were definitely softer and smoother in the morning. For fun and protection, there's also Sweet Talk Lip Gloss $7.00 - terrific, ultra-shiny gloss with fruity scents. We tried the mouth-watering "Juicy Blueberry." We swear it reminded us of blueberry ices! There's also wild berries, cherry, strawberry, pear, peach and cherry vanilla. For something more sensual we suggest a Shining Lip Gloss $11.00 in one of 17 shades and five pretty formulas from simply shiny to shimmery, metallic, and iridescent. "Ashley" is a sheer, shimmery gloss in peachy-champagne that gives lips amazing, high shine. and looks great on everyone to add a va-voom finish to your lip look! Rose is universally flattering - the new red for warmer months. Lip Delux $12.00 by beComing has two new roses for Spring that are just delightful and better yet, they contain retinol to smooth out fine lines, exfoliate, and produce younger looking lips. "Kimono" is a medium rose that looks dressy and dramatic on pale skin, vibrant on medium to deeper complexions. "Satin Slipper" adds a hint of natural-looking rose to pale skin. The moist, luxurious lipsticks are reasonably priced and a great choice to update your makeup for Spring. The wonderful people at Clinique sent us great new, exciting lip colors and glosses. We can report that whether you like pale, or bold, sheer, shimmer or gloss, you'll be excited by the quality and variety of colors and formulas that Clinque offers. A standout in Glosswear for Lips $13.50 was "Papaya" a brilliantly glistening, sheer, tropical coral stain, looks stunning alone,and (if possible), even better over an an apricot or peach-tinted lipstick that needs more "life." New Color Surge Bare Brilliance Lipstick $13.50 provides a beauty treatment along with color, as it soothes, moisturizes and generally improves the condition of your lips. "Nude Pearls" (subtle, soft nude-pearl) and "Cool fuschia" (pearly-light-bright pink) are our picks for pale complexions. Deeper complexions will shimmer with deep brown "Chocolate Ice" and bold, medium pink "Poppy Shine." Looking for a fresh new lip look? Pick from a quintet of sheer lipstains by Bourjois from their new, Spring 2004 Pulpe de Soleil Pour La Vie lipstick $14.00. The lipsticks are beautiful, pink-inspired shades from light pink "Rose Friandise Pour Insoumises" to deepest berry "Cassis Vitaminé Pour Émancipées." The colors are more than a gloss, less than a lipstick, to plump up lips and give them a boost of "just bitten" color which smoothes on, feels moist,and lasts. We love the substantial, clear, Lucite square cases that hold Apt. 5 Lipgloss Wands $6.50. What's more, we love the glosses, inside! New for Spring are six high shine, super-sheer glosses with tiny, iridescent glitter flecks and a hint of scent (inspired by their names" "Lemon Lime" (yellow), "Raspberry" (hot pink), "Berry Bold" (red) and "Grape" (purple) are three of our new faves. Try them. Great beauty products don't always have to come with a big pricetag. Cargo ExtraSheer Lipstick $17.00 comes in eight warm colors to perk up winter weary lips. The colors are, just as the name implies, extra sheer, adding just a hint of color and shimmer, while moisturizing and conditioning your lips with vitamin E, aloe, jojoba oil and shea butter. We tried "Beantown" which the press materials called a shimmery cinnamon, but we thought was more of a universally-flattering, really pretty, apricot We long for sheer lipstick that delivers color and gloss, but not too much color. Sonia Kashuk delivers, with her new Luxury Lip Sheers $6.99. We like the silver case with clear top that eliminates guessing what you've got in your makeup bag, and we raved about the moist, sheer, colors. "Sheer Star" is a shimmery pink that will flatter everyone. Ditto "Sheer Glam" in medium pink, and "Sheer Babe" in medium rose. These are quality lipsticks at bargain prices! For even more shine and shimmer, add a touch of Lip Glossing $6.99 in "Sassy," a shimmery light pink gloss that looks great alone, too.
In our Winter 2004 column we previewed Avon's new Beyond Color Plumping Lipstick $8.00, an incredible lipstick that has Retinol SPF and other good-for-your-lips ingredients. It restores moisture, reduces lip lines, retexturizes, and plums with collagen for youthful-looking lips. We liked it so much we are mentioning it again. No matter what color you pick, you'll be impressed with this high-tech lipstick that costs less than a sandwich and has an immediate impact. The kind folks at Avon sent us "Shimmer Beige," which is a natural, warm nude. For Spring, there's "Pink Lemonade and "Peach Daiquiri." For the best M-Day gift ever, pop one of these into a Mother's Day card, along with a gift certificate for an Avon Salon & Spa package for beauty and relaxation. Call 888-929-7979 for info. Laura Mercier paints lips this season in tones of pink and coral - the perfect way to perk up a tired complexion! Laura Mercier Lip Colour $19.00 follows the sheer, soft and shimmery trend with a new trio of treats: "Sweet Dreams" is a soft coral with shimmer, "Pixie" is a universally-flattering medium-light pink with a hint of shimmer, and "Pink Potion" is a girly matte rose. We suggest lining lips with Long Wear Lip pencil $17.00 (we tried "Rosewood," a flexible nude-pink-brown) which helps define soft shades even better, and perhaps, adding a slick of shimmery gloss for evening allure. Biotherm's new Glossy Shine Lip Gloss $11.00 comes in three colors "#37" (apricot), "# 95" (glamorous berry), and "#32," a yummy coral. These are nearly weightless, non gooey and taste like a summer melon. We had a hard time getting the glosses back when we let our friends test them...and felt bad when they begged us not to take them back! Wear them solo or slide them over lipsticks for a bit of extra glow and gloss without a heavy feel These look good on everyone, and with everything. Use them to shine through the warmer weather, beautifully! |
FACE FIXERS: You wear a hat and sunscreen at the beach, it's important to protect your face and body from the sun's damaging rays, every day. Today's cutting-edge sunscreens do double-duty as moisturizers, so there's no reason to go without. Spring is also the time to re-think your skin's needs. Your Winter skincare routine may not be working well now and need lighter or perhaps, more even more emollient, products. A recent poll conducted by Schering-Plough reveals that more than 90% of Americans forgo daily sunscreen use! Coppertone Endless Summer Ultrasheer Sunscreen $9.99 comes in SPF 15, 30, and even 45! It contains AO-7, an antioxidant complex that helps reduce harmful free radicals (promotional literature says up to 70%) that can damage and age your skin It also has good-for-your-skin vitamins. There's also the Endless Summer Ultrasheer Sunscreen Stick $5.99 in SPF 30, with zinc oxide, and the same, light feel as the lotion. These products are unscented and quickly absorb into the skin so there's no "greasy" feel - and they're non-comedogenic, oil free, and hypoallergenic. We really like it because it's so portable -you have absolutely no excuse left not to protect your skin! With a name like FACE Stockholm what else would we expect but great products? Ageless Cream $74.00 has papaya extract (among other ingredients) and a uses high-technology to bring you a cream that is unscented, light as air, absorbs immediately, and makes skin soft and radiant while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. If you're worried about aging (and who isn't?) or you've ignored your skin for too long, you can't afford not to try it. Ditto FACE Stockholm Magic Eye Treatment $30.00 he metallic, matte purple "click it" wand is a superb way to transport and apply eye cream - why haven't more companies done this?? We smoothed this on our dry, itchy under-eye area and it "magically" soothed and smoothed! This concentrated cream is particularly good for maturing or environmentally-damaged skin. It absorbs fast, while it hydrates and protects..it's a real winner! Your face is like an artist's canvas. Prepare it for makeup by cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting it. Laura Mercier One Step Foaming Cleanser $35.00 has a pump that creates a froth of foam. This one-step- wonder cleanses, tones and really removes even sticky, stubborn, makeup without having to rub and scrub. Laura Mercier Intensive Moisture Mask $30.00 moisturizes, firms and refreshes dry, dull, winter complexions. Wheat protein and plant extracts firm, while other good-for-you ingredients soften, moisturize, and brighten. This is a really nice, gentle treat for your face. Deep Cleansing Clay mask $30.00 gently exfoliates, eliminates impurities, absorbs excess oil and calms without drying out your skin, especially if yours is oily. It's not just for the acne-prone, however, it's for all skin types to "get out the gunk" and keep your face glowing. Hydra Soothing Gel Mask $30.00 is an "SOS" for very dry and stressed skin. The gel boosts moisture while reducing redness and puffiness. Cellex-C are pioneers in Vitamin C skincare technology. We loved Cellex-C Betaplex Gentle Foaming Cleanser $29.00 with a mild, cucumber scent, and mild (1%) concentration of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help remove oil, grime and dead skin buildup. It's good for normal, oily and combo skin, so it suits most everyone. We hope to review more of this line for you in future columns! It's been a while since we have reviewed Aveda, known for it's high quality, environmentally-conscious products. Two new products that caught our interest for anyone with less than perfect skin, are Brightening Essence $45.00, and Brightening Moisture Treatment $40.00. The first step is the Brightening Essence, a lightweight but powerful concentration of botanicals (scented with citrus, jasmine and rose) that works for all skin typed to clarify skin tone, fade and prevent skin discoloration (e.g. age and sun spots). Follow with Brightening Moisture Treatment which moisturize, and helps to fade and prevent sun and age spots and other skin discolorations. There are 22 plant-derived ingredients in this impressive cream. Use it on your face and even your décolleté. Soon, you'll see a a look you like. Perhaps your teeth are not actually on your face, but they are definitely in it! Fashionistas know that yellow, stained teeth are not a good look. If your smile isn't as sparkling as you'd like it to be, Arm & Hammer has a new toothpaste to try called Enamel Care $3.49 4.03 oz tube, which uses a patented ingredient, Liquid Calcium, to restore surface enamel, and fluoride and baking soda which help keep teeth and gums healthy. Liquid Calcium helps fill in the tiny crevices in surface enamel, so the result is a brighter, more lustrous smile. You've got to brush anyway, so why not try a toothpaste that might improve the look and health of your teeth, too? Do you have very dry skin? 10-hour Intense Moisturizing Cream $30.00 by Mary Kay looks pink and girly in the jar, but packs a punch when it comes to combating dry skin. We didn't test it for 10 hours, but we did confirm that it absorbs quickly and infuses skin skin with good-for-you ingredients such as a marine extract, copper, magnesium, and zinc. Oily skin can be dry, too! Mary Kay Oil-Free Hydrating Gel $30.00 works for women who want soft skin but can't tolerate heavy creams. We liked the way the lightweight gel smoothed on, absorbed quickly, and left our skin feeling very silky, with Vitamin E and green tea and marine extracts. You now have two great products to help keep skin looking and feeling great. Your beauty routine just got easier. NIVEA Visage All Around Protection Creme and Lotion SPF 15 $8.99 boosts the skin's natural defense against environmental elements (e.g.smoke and pollution), and also has spf 15 to protect against UV damage, while it moisturizes. Budget and time-conscious women will cheer for these oil free moisturizers that won't cog pores, are light enough to wear under makeup, have SPF 15, and protect and improve skin- with one step! This is really "next generation" skincare, today, and at a great price. No need to leave home without moisturizer and UV protection ever again! NIVEA also has a new, Body Silky Shimmer Lotion $6.99 in two tones. We liked the light moisture. Choose a golden glint (light to medium) or more brass and sass (medium). Applied before a "night out," these will give bare legs a boost, but just a few bucks! NIVEA Visage Simply Glowing $8.99 with light-reflecting pigments, apricot extract, vitamin C and essential minerals, gives your face brightness (not high-wattage shine or glitter) that doesn't sting or irritate -great for times when you don't want to wear foundation, but just need a "little something." When we tested the Supersmile® Professional Teeth Whitening Accelerator System $30.00. we were dubious. We didn't think that anything so easy (or inexpensive) could make our teeth dramatically whiter with just 2 minutes of brushing a day. We're believers, now. Two tubes, a Whitening Accelerator Gel and Supersmile Toothpaste work together to gently bleach yellow or stained teeth.Your yellow teeth won't turn pearly white as with professional bleaching , but we can definitely report that our teeth were brighter and whiter within mere days. One reviewer reported that within a week, a stubborn stain on one tooth that had been there for years was significantly reduced, then, disappeared entirely! he patented formula quickly and safely removes coffee, tea, tobacco and red wine stains. No wonder stars like Adam Sandler and Kelly Ripa are using it. You can, too.
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FRESH, FABULOUS FRAGRANCES: When the weather gets warmer, and fabrics get lighter, you'll want to reach for lighter, fresher, fragrances. What's right now are fruity, citrus-y, herbal, and soft florals (or a mix of these). There are products in every price point from steal to splurge. Iindulge yourself (and "Mom") with a new scent! Butterflies are so "Spring," and Papillon Eau de Toilette Spray $37.50 (50 ml) by Dutch clothing design, Oilily is a new fragrance that represents a true, Spring-feeling. For those who don't speak French, "Papillon: means "butterfly." The first thing you notice is the fanciful, colorful packaging with sun, flowers, and of course, butterflies. Inside, a rounded, clear clear glass bottle is festooned with a red and orange butterfly decal, surrounded by light blue and pink flowers and toped with a lime green and hot pink top. The fragrance itself is also reminiscent of butterflies. Light, elusive. At first spray it appears citrussy, but quickly mellows to a soft floral, with top notes of peach, grapefruit and dark red cherries, middle notes of rose, white lilies, and jasmine, and a base of sandalwood, musk and cedar wood (which we barely noticed). This playful, light scent is perfect for a younger woman or for daytime, when the temperatures start to rise and you don't want anything too heavy and lingering.
Purists, and anyone who loves the delicious scent of vanilla, will love Aveda's Single Note fragrance $25.00 called "Vanilla Absolute," a rich, sweet, base note derived from vanilla beans, infused into coconut oil for a silky smooth feel. Vanilla is a calming scent that smells luscious alone, but also blends well with other scents such as Bergamot, Sandalwood, and Tangerine. Rub some on your wrists when you're starting a big day, use it's sensual scent to entice someone a bit closer, or put a few drops into an infuser or burner for a peaceful, romantic aura. Shanghai Eau De Parfum Spray $73.00 50 ml is truly one of those memorable new fragrances that is a masterpiece of the perfumer's art. The bottle,created by award-winning designer Marc Rosen, is a sensuous, substantial, clear glass "orb" (topped with a thin, clear, Lucite "chopstick") containing an equally stunning, luxe, ruby-red fragrance. The scent starts out with bergamot, green pineapple, cinnamon oil and magnolia flower. Reviewers likened this unusual melange to black current with a hint of spice. But there's also carnation, jasmine, patchouli, Chinese osmanthus flower, and a drydown of vanilla bourbon, balsam woods, ambergris and wild plum. When all of these distinct aromas blend, the result is a modern, sophisticated, complex fruity-floral that translates uniquely to the woman wearing it. Shanghai is an exotic, complex place full of mystery and (some say) intrigue. Choose Shanghai and you may be described this way, too! Self Sanctuary Grapefruit-Ginger Scent Mist $12.00 by MARK and Self Sanctuary Kiwi-Lotus Scent Mist $12.00 are Aromatherapy treats. What's especially nice (besides the low price) is that they are light so you can control the scent. Layer with complimentary bath & body products when you want more fragrance, but you can also use these mists when you're active or in warmer weather and not feel overwhelmed. The grapefruit-ginger is a light citrus with just a touch of ginger. It's fresh and bright and men will love it, too. The Kiwi-Lotus is a pleasing, sweet, fruity scent mix of kiwi and lotus flower fragrance. What's perfect for Spring? Trish McEvoy's Grapefruit & Yellow Freesia Eau De Toilette Spray 15 ml. $35.00. This fresh, sexy, citrussy-floral is unusual and complex. You can sense the floral notes, and you can sense the citrus, but together, they blend to create a unique combination that feels fresh and modern and even a bit spicy. We also love Trish's long, lean columns of clear glass and simple, silver and black spray tops. Men will like the scent, too. It's chic, cool, special! Elemis is made in England and available in spas around the world. Elemis Aromapure Essential Oil $30.00 contains 100% pure essential lavender oil. It smells blissful. Elemis suggests that you release the scent by warming it up in a "burner" or or mix 7 drops with milk and put it into a warm bath. We also liked it simply rubbed onto our wrists. We also put a few drops on a tissue near our pillow, so we could breathe in those de-stressing fragrance. Elemis has a dozen different oils for various mental and physical situations. We hope to review more of these in future columns. One of the most unique solid fragrances we've reviewed is by ZENTS. Their multi-use, highly fragranced Concreta Solid Perfume Balms $30.00 have floral extracts and essential oils that are mixed into a conditioning, alcohol-free shea butter & beeswax base, and then hand-poured into beautiful, genuine stone cubes! There are ten, exotic scents. We tried "Oolong" a green tea blend with notes of Lime Blossom, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Petitgrain which is strong and distinctive. There's also a ZENTS Body Spray $38.00 1 0z. that can also be used as a room spray or aromatherapy treat, and a Concentrate $24.00 - an oil with dropper to wear as a perfume, layer with other Zents scents to create your own, blend. You can also add the oil to diffusers, light bulb rings, potpourri, or the melted wax of a candle. Make one of these your signature, or gift that Mom won't sniff on everyone else . We first reviewed (and liked) the warm, spicy and slightly-floral Victorias Secret Very Sexy for Her $35.00 in our Fall, 2003 column. Now, there's a new version. Very Sexy For Her2 Eau de Parfum Spray $35.00 1 fl. oz. arrives in a hot pink box encased in a black, fishnet pouch. The fragrance has notes of blackberry, freesia, peony and Casablanca lily mix with skin suede, white patchouli and black plum, for a complex, sensuous scent light enough for day, sensuous enough for evening. The silvery cap, inverted, cleverly becomes a stand, too!
Tell Mom you think she's a Goddess, with a pretty, fresh, new fragrance that personifies the name - Goddess Eau de Parfum Spray $19.50 1.07 fl. oz by Avon. This is a light, delicate fragrance that smells a bit mystical, like a dewy spring morning. Notes like freesia provide an airy floral hint, while musk gives the fragrance a spicy, exotic touch. Light enough for everyday wear, you'll feel feminine and flirty...without breaking the bank! Sonia Kasuk Fragrances are new to our review. We like the simple, rectangular, clear glass spray bottles that remind us of another, luxe fragrance line. Sonia Kashuk Freesia #3 $16.99 1.7 fl. oz was our favorite for Spring. A hint of citrus mixed with fresh green notes, berries, and florals. It smells light and fresh, not overly sweet. For those who love romantic, sweet florals, Sonia Kashuk Gardenia #1 $16.99 1.7 fl. oz delivers an authentic, strong gardenia scent, updated with a bit of green, citrus, rose, sandalwood and musk.
FOOT FOCUS: Now that Spring is here, you may be freeing your feet from boots and shoes. Before you strap on those sandls, make sure your feet are in great condition with some of these new and nifty products. Archipelago Botanicals in their "Milk to Go" set $19.50 combines dried milk solids and natural proteins to gently soothe and protect. It might sound weird, but the result is smashing. You get a three-step treatment of full-sized products to get feet ready for sandals. Foot Soak softens and deodorizes; Foot Scrub removes dead cells; and Foot Balm soothes and cools. You can buy these individually, too, but you'll save a few dollars if you buy the nicely packaged, set. Lush’s Pied De Pepper Foot Lotion $9.95 is the quintessential pampering for our dry, winter feet. It's made with fresh, high quality ingredients like olive oil and cocoa butter to diminish even the roughest of skin, as well as lemon oil to help manage perspiration. All of those ingredients also make for an invigorating aroma that stimulates the senses. Foot the bill (pun intended) for something Mom will really enjoy, with a Foot Care Kit $45.00 from The Thymes, new to our column! Housed in a clear, reusable, drawstring plastic pouch are three essentials for sandals-ready feet: a Restorative Foot Soak $16.00 which is a refreshing, herbal-scented Epson Salt blend soak for soothing , de-puffing, and deodorizing achy, tired feet; Multi Action Foot Care $18.00 - an alpha-hydyroxy cream just for feet that gently exfoliates while shea butter, jojoba oil, tea tree oil and tingly menthol soothe, soften, deodorize and refresh; and seriously Smoothing Foot Scrub $18.00 that contains finely ground walnut shells and pumice to scrub away difficult to remove calluses and dry skin, while moisturizing with Vitamin E, glycerin and sunflower seed oil. Give yourself the scent of the tropics, and smooth the cracked, dry skin on your feet at the same time, with yummy Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme $9.00. This super-emollient, moisturizing cream (Actually, it looks and feels more like a moisturizing gel) is made with vegetable glycerin, olive oil, oat protein, lanolin, coconut oil, vitamin E, and a hint of peppermint for a bit of a tingle Mary Kay's Private Spa Collection Pedicure Set $30.00 is a fun, affordable gift for your fussy-footed friends. A little triangle of Mint-scented Mint Bliss Fizzies is enough for ten, toe-tickling soaks, Mint Bliss Scrub has tiny rough beads (use with exfoliating gloves) for rough skin-free feet. You also get a combo brush/foot-file, toe separators (for polishing nails) and a Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion, which gives provides invigorating. minty freshness. A tip: use the lotion to freshen up even though pantyhose!) All arrive in a pale, minty green, tote. When your feet hurt, nothing seems right! Aveda Foot Relief $7.50 1.5 fl.oz or $18.00 4.2 fl. oz moisturizes and deodorizes. It smells herbally-refreshing, of lavender and rosemary, (which is lots better than our feet after a long, hard day or night of dancing). Active herbs combine with fruit, salicylic and lactic acids to soften dry, overtired feet. Rub this fast-absorbing cream into your tired tootsies and legs for an affordable and tingly, treat. It's a little luxury you can afford. Rock and Sole Foot Scrub $7.99 by Yardley of London from their Apothary line is a serious exfoliator for rough, dry, tough to remove skin on soles and toes. This nice, citrussy-scented tube of high-powered help is infused with pumice. The modest pricetag also means that you can exfoliate whenever you feel the need, without washing away your budget, too. In Romancing the Stone, the 1980's movie with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, the two embark on an adventure to find a valuable gem. Romancing the Stone $4.50 by Victorias Secret might also be considered a valuable gem, since this dual-sided pumice stone quickly and effectively rids your feet of the dry, rough-stuff that snags stockings...but you just have to go to Victorias Secret, not exotic Columbia, to snag this treasure! Another treat for feet is True Blue Spa (Bath & Body Works) Toe the Line Foot Scrub $15.00. Walnut shell powder works well to exfoliate, tee tree oil deodorizes, and peppermint oil and rosemary extract perk up tired toes. Also part of this new line is the Shea it Isn't So Foot Cream $15.00 with avocado oil for conditioning, eucalyptus extract to refresh and cool, and shea butter for heavy-duty softening. Are there rough edges on your hands and feet? Banish them with Rough Edge Extra Powerful Skin Smoothing Cream $26.00 by Scarlett Cosmetics . This emollient cream has cocoa butter and a natural UV blocker to protect your hands, elbows, knees, and heels from the sun's harmful rays...especially important when you're wearing sandals and exposing more skin! The simple packaging and unscented formula appeals to men, too! June Jacobs Citrus Foot Rescue $36.00, and Tea Tree Foot Rescue $48.00 are essential beauty treatments for your feet! Treat yourself or "Mom" to one of these luxe, high-performing creams. The tea tree version is a light cream that calms and soothes skin, and relaxes and recharges tired foot muscles. The Citrus version has a tingling citrus oil that softens and smoothes dead, dry, skin. At bedtime, generously apply one of these nice creams to your feet, cover with cotton socks, and wake up to prettier, soother feet! Used regularly you will see a difference and you're worth it! If Winter has made your paws feel more like claws, bring them back to life! Exfoliate, moisturize and protect. Archipelago Botanicals Sugar Créme for Hands $11.00 is an RX in a tube, with sugar cane & coconut for hands that need special care. We liked the beige and green bamboo packaging with cute, "bamboo" toggle, but we liked the product, even better It smells like lightly of coconut , slides on like a dream, and moisturizes a long time...and don't forget your feet, either. We know women who will pay any price for beautiful feet. The Hand & Foot Rejuvenation System $60.00 from DermaNew is an answer to their prayers! This new system just for hands and feet has a dual speed firming resurfacing tool (battery-operated wand) which buffs skin with a hand & foot rejuvenation formula microdermabrasion créme (with corundum crystals for exfoliation of hands and feet, along with smoothing agents of jojoba and shea butter). Included are 2 triangle foam applicators (to absorb the creme and get between fingers and toes) and a callous softening attachment which really worked well. If you're tired of plunking down wads of cash for pedicures, or you are worried about health and safety of nail salons, this is absolutely not a splurge, it's a necessity! BATH & BODY BOOTY: When your seasonal, facial products need adjusting, so do your bath & body routines (your body is skin, too). Whether you're looking for a gift for Mother's Day, or are pampering yourself, you'll find an astounding variety of new products to love. A compliment to the aromatherapy fragrance mists by MARK are Self Sanctuary Grapefruit-Ginger Shower Wash and Self Sanctuary Kiwi-Lotus Shower Wash 7 fl.oz $5.00 each that come in plastic bottles to tote easily. The body wash is light, gentle and effective. Self Sanctuary Grapefruit-Ginger Exfoliating Polish and Self Sanctuary Kiwi-Lotus Exfoliating Polish 7 fl.oz $5.00 each contain micro pearls to smooth away rough, dead skin, and aloe to soften and condition. Self Sanctuary Grapefruit-Ginger Body Sorbet and Self Sanctuary Kiwi-Lotus Body Sorbet 7 fl. oz. $5.00 each. This very lightweight gel-lotion conditions and refreshes skin, and adds more staying power to the fragrance mist. Choose the citrussy ginger or the sweet and fruity kiwi. We can hardly believe that this entire group of fragrance, body wash, exfoliator and moisturizer will set you back a mere $27.00! Splurge on Mom and on yourself, too. Get both ....and share! Helping Hands Hand Cream $11.25 by LUSH is a rich and luscious hand cream comes in a cute little tub and is made only from natural and herbal ingredients including: cocoa and shea butters, linseed, lavender, African marigold and almond oils and chamomile water. The label also tells you who made the cream, and when (along with an expiration date) which tells you that the makers of Lush, really care. We know it's for hands, but it works as an overnight treatment for feet, too.
The essence of a Springtime gift is Bucket O'Suds $13.00 from What Fun, a bright yellow, mini-sized, metal bucket, filled with four, Easter-Egg colored glycerin soap rolls and a red-wrapped "bath candy" (fizzing bath tablet). The unique shape allows water to drain, so the soaps last a long time. Vegans will especially love the fact that the glycerin soaps are all natural (with no animal testing or animal byproducts). Everyone will love the lavender, tangerine, grapefruit, and raspberry scents. The bath "candy" is raspberry-scented, too. The bucket doubles as a cute makeup brush holder, or handy "catch-all" when the products are all gone. LATHER Therapeutic Bath Tonic $17.00 2 fl. oz is created with 100% pure essential oils to to relax (lavender), rejuvenate (citrus) and ease away stress and fatigue (eucalyptus). Pour 1-3 capfuls into your bath or shower, and feel better, fast. You can use this in any water environment, so we think that a perfect M-day gift (or treat for you) would be to purchase a tabletop fountain, and add a bottle of LATHER Bath Tonic. Thumbs up also to LATHER Chamomile Foaming Bath Treatment $22.00 8 fl. oz. Send insomnia packing with a 15-minute soak in a hot bath. This treatment containing comforting, blue German chamomile, helps promote sleep better than a pill...smells pretty, and you won't wake up groggy in the morning. A toned-feeling body is a happy body! Cellex-C Speed Peel & Polish Gel $100.00 isn't for the low-maintenance person, but it does provide a superb exfoliation of yukky, dry skin that is hard to get rid of, revealing smoother, brighter skin in a flash. We can't discuss all the nitty-gritty, but you will see for yourself when you apply the pleasant-smelling gel to a patch of dull skin, and feel a refreshing tingle, wait two minutes, rub off the gel and with it comes gobs of dead, dry skin. Reviewers tried it on various places. It smoothed in a way that no cream or gel alone,can, and in just about the same time it would take to put on a coat of nail polish! For additional softness and toning that you can really feel, and to add a bit of a "gloss" on your newly-smoothed skin, use Cellex-C Body Sheen & Toning Gel $95.00 You instantly feel the tingle and the "firming" of your skin. As a test, we tried one hand and arm. The difference was apparent. Even under bright lights,our skin looked and felt like it had gone back in time! Men will want to use these, too.Perhaps your sophisticated "metrosexual" will want his own set for Father's Day!
Although this new line of bath & body products was developed specifically for children, why let them have all then fun? We think AllyKats is adorable for Moms and for us, too! Young or old, who could resist the Sparkling Powder Puff $9.50 - a slightly grapefruit-scented puff infused with sparkling powder.There is also a wonderful, moist, untinted lip balm called Lip.Chick $3.00 (with spf 15). We hope to review more of this line, it's a mother/daughter treat that's definitely worth a look. Caswell-Massey's Cucumber line is fast becoming a classic. The Cucumber Bath & Body Collection Set $32.00 with Hand & Body Emulsion, Body Wash, Body Splash and a fragrant, luxury Bar Soap makes a great mothers day gift or splurge for yourself. Ditto the Caswell-Massey Deluxe Hand Care Kit $32.00. The romantic, Victorian-style pink box holds serious products to keep your hands looking soft and sexy.You get a home and a purse-sized, rose-scented, Dr. Hunter's Rosewater & Glycerin hand Crème; a tin of Dr. Hunter's Cuticle Cream; a pair of soft cotton sleeping gloves; and a frosted glass Vitry nail file which which looks amazingly cool. Add a tin of Cucumber Shea Butter $20.00 to treat very moisture-challenged skin. This is best used after bathing, when your room's filled with warm steam and your skin is warm. Our reviewer reported the shea butter top be a long lingering one that's thick and protective. FINGERS & TOES: One of the things we have always enjoyed about Spring is the excuse to polish our toenails bright and eye-catching shades. Pinks and sheers are definitely in, and they flatter virtually everyone, but have some fun with the new shimmers and overlays. You don't really need a reason to enjoy...just do! Anna Sui Nail Polish $13.00 comes dressing-table ready in a beautiful, feminine, curvy bottle with a molded black rose on the top. Choose from more than two dozen shades from sparkly blue to demure pink. One of four new shades this season is "Pearly Orange" which is a pretty, wearable sheer peach with a a touch of glitter. It's also tolulene-free, which means it won't dry out your nails. Our reviewers rated this quick-drying polish a "ten" and we think you will, too. Planning to trade in clumpy boots for sexy open-toed sandals? Morgen Schick Nail Color $9.50 in “West Palm” is a good way to help your toes make their spring debut. The peach shade is our fave! It dries quickly and is a great compliment to her “Palm Beach” lipcolor.
Leave it to Nailene to come up with a genuinely unique way to polish fingers and toes. Nailene Dura Color No Chip Color Strips for Fingers & Toes $3.99 (36 strips) is so easy to use, a child can do it. Prep nails with the enclosed pad, lift a colored strip off the paper, place it on your finger, smooth, file away excess. Voila - perfect manicure...in seconds! At this price, it's a must have for anyone who is short of time, is on the road, or has no talent applying polish, (especially dark colors or to toes). The trick is to select the right size (of 18 sizes) for each of your nails. We tried a light, metallic mauve known simply as "77656" and also "77654," a deep red with subtle, "tribal" design. When you're "done" with this look, simply peel, and toss! For more fun, simply peel and press on Nailene Nail Art Decals $1.99 " #77135" in glittery, surf inspire designs and words, or "77402" 3d Nail Art, eye-catching rhinestone tips - the easiest way to get glittery gems for your fingers and toes. Pop Beauty creates a fresh take on the French manicure. Couple a shiny, super-sheer red, pink or lilac Nail Polish $12.00 tint with a coordinating, shimmery, sparkling polish. The sheer base tint gives your nails a "blush" of shiny, clear color that looks pretty without any additions. Ditto the sparkling overlay polishes. Together, however, they look particularly festive and fresh for Spring. We tried "Red Tint" which looks like a blush of sheer deep pink, with tips of "Ruby Glimmer #2" (see photo- glittery sheer red) The result was a "10" for our fingers and toes. We also liked sheer pink "rose tint" with "Sazzy Glimmer," a pearly glittery "mod" pink. This is a fun way to brighten up for the season and will look great on the beach this summer, too! In a hurry for shiny, perfect nails? Clinque Glosswear Nail Enamel $9.00 comes in a generously-sized bottle, and in beautiful colors that effectively cover nails in one quick, mistake-proof stroke. It's formulated without toluene or formaldehyde so it won't dry out or irritate nails. We tried pearly "Champagne," and shimmery. copper "Pale Fire.' Both dried quickly to a high shine - especially good when you're polishing toes and need to get going! |
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Laura Mercier. The Spring collection, called "Fairy Tale"
is soft, feminine, fabulous! Four new Eye Colors $19.00
are created with French cashmere talc, to provide sheer, silky color that
pampers lids. For lids, we like "Twinkle," a soft beige sprinkled with a
bit of silvery fairy dust ("glitter"), soft, matte pink "Princess," and
"Lavender Mist." "Mint Snow," a nearly white green with a hint of glimmer
adds a modern look as a highlighter. If your preference is for creams,
Laura Mercier Créme Eye Colour-to-Go $20.00 in "Moonbeam"
(soft lavender) and "Posy" (soft pink) are new, slightly shimmery, and
long-lasting. The colors are soft, subtle, and work with any skin tone. We
suggest pairing it with a solid shadow and a deep liner. One reviewer said
she urged her friends to try her shadow and had the worst time getting it
back! Finish this "fairytale" look with a great mascara that builds
luxurious lashes - Thickening and Building Mascara $19.00
in "Dark Brown" is natural, not harsh! 
Solo Act Single Eye Color $10.00 by beComing
are a pretty part of the Spring, 2004 collection (see photo). The
satiny eye shadow singles are so silky you'll almost think they are
creams. They slide on smoothly, stay true to color, and we were impressed
with this lasting qualities. Subdued, Spring-like shades have Zen-like
inspiration. Reviewers raved about "Water Lilly," a clear violet, and
"Bamboo," a beautiful soft, blue-green, but we also liked "Crystal Pearl"
(softest gray) and "crushed silk" a very soft teal.
Mention Giorgio Armani cosmetics, and we immediately
think of the highest quality makeup in beautiful, sophisticated, but
wearable colors. A generously-sized circle of shimmery, long-lasting,
sheer,Giorgio Armani Sheer Cream Blush $36.00 in it's
chic, matte black signature is "couture for your cheeks!" "#4"
is a soft, browned peachy-pink that gives you a rested-
like-you've-just-vacationed, look. It goes on light-as-air, stays true to
color, never feels greasy, and lasts a long time. It is simply one of the
best cream blushes we've ever reviewed. Finish with a touch of
Armani Iridescent Loose Powder $45.00 that gives everything it
touches a shimmer with a hint of pink. We used on our eyes and lips, too!
In our
If your face (and/or body) is less than perfect, the hint
of pink in Sheer Pink Loose Powder $21.00 with it's
pretty pink puff by Clinique will give your skin a
natural, healthier tone without looking as though you're trying too hard.
Apply this luminous, sheer powder after your makeup to help set
foundation, absorb excess oil, and generally give your skin a more even
finish. The oil-free (good for everyone) formula has light-reflectors to
soften fine lines. This is a must-have for your dressing table. If you
want to get a bronzy-look without the sun's harmful rays, Ultra-sheer
color with a delightful touch of shimmer. For a natural glow that feels
makeup-free,
City Block Sheer Shimmer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 15
$15.50 gives you a sheer,
sun-kissed glow in "Golden" or "Bronze" (for deeper complexions) while it
protects even the most sensitive skin with UVA/UVB sunscreen. Wear it for
all over color, or just on cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, where the sun
would naturally, shine. For a non-dewy or bronze, semi-matte look, the
brand new, Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup $22.50
is a great choice. It 
Bobbi
Brown is always one of our favorites when it comes to beauty
products. We love her for the chic, subtle, flattering and natural colors
that manage to look modern but incredibly wearable, every season. We can't
imagine not adding some Bobbi Brown products to our own, updated
makeup tables! For Spring, Bobbi Brown Blush $19.00 will
help you look healthy, rested, and refreshed ...with just a swipe of the
blush brush. One of the best, universally-flattering blushes around,
especially on light to medium complexions, is "Desert Rose," a
browned-rose that looks like you were born with a pretty, perfect,
blush. "Peony" is a bright pink that will add allure to deeper
complexions! These are instant beautifiers! 
Physicians
Formula has fabulous new colors and romantic packaging - great
quality and low prices, too! Retro Glow Illuminating Lip Lacquer
$6.95 comes in a pretty, teardrop shaped vial with attached
mirror and Victorian-style pewter-look top/applicator. These are shiny,
medium-sheer, and slightly iridescent lip colors that feel almost
weightless. Even when the long-lasting color wears off, they still leave
a slight "stain." Choose from eight shades - nude to brick. We tried
"Vintage Wine" which looked universally flattering on everyone, even those
of us with very pale complexions for whom "bright" never seems quite
right. Retro Glow Illuminating Lip Gloss $5.95 is a
little pot of gloss which comes in six shades from clear to red. "Cherry
Glow" is reminiscent of a much higher-priced gloss. The look is
"just bitten," and the feel is silky and luxurious. For more definition,
line lips with Retro Glow Automatic Lip Liner $4.95 (we
used the burgundy "Wine & Dine"). The Victorian-style pewter-look top is
actually a sharpener so it's always easy to draw an accurate
line. More colors in plum, brown and nude will work well with other lip
products in your collection.
We think mini glosses have maxi appeal. and we love a trio, even
better! Pop Beauty Mini Gloss Trio $18.00 features
yummy, vanilla-scented glosses in a matchbox-sized cardboard box. The
glosses are in nudes, pinks, or neutrals. We tried "Lolly Lips," three
gorgeous, shimmery, shiny neutrals that would flatter everyone. We
love the high-quality glosses, the portability, and how our lips look now
that we're fans!
Some lip glosses are
all-out sexy. A new one that definitely earns this title is
Vincent Longo Lip Gloss $21.00
This luxurious gloss is simply a sensuous treat - moist, non-sticky and
shiny, and with a delicious
vanilla scent. The hard part is
selecting from the 11
distinctive colors in both shimmer and sheer. Our top pick is "Stella,"
which gives you the trend-setting clear with shimmer gloss look that you
can wear solo or layer to add dimension to a lipsticks. Flatter a warm
complexion with 'Nectar," a sheer, shimmery peach and "Mia Sexy," an
outstanding pinkish-peach. Cool Complexions will create a perfect pout
with super-shiny, medium-plum "Divino" and the ladylike, light mauve "Lili
La Bella"
Sensi White Notes
2.5 oz Eau Fraiche Natural Spray $57.50 by Giorgio Armani
manages to be soft and but brilliant - at the same time. It's the epitome of a
warm-weather fragrance. Reviewers raved for this new version of the original Sensi
fragrance (we reviewed it in our that we reviewed in our 
We've fallen hard for fragrances from Caron.
We are happy to another great fragrance from this luxe and acclaimed line. Les Eaux de Caron Pure Eau de Toilette $36.00
50 ml splash; $58.00 100 ml spray was introduced in 1996. We like the
clear bottle embossed with "speckles" and the light blue color of the fragrance,
itself. Top notes of passion fruit, mandarin, galbanum, mix with middle note florals of
geranium, jasmine, and freesia, and base notes of moss, cedarwood, sandalwood and musk to
create a fresh, marine-oriented unisex scent. It's unusual. The light, fresh marine and
spice notes make it trés sexy on a woman, too.
Are you a busy person with no time to pamper herself? Three new
items in the Calm to Your Senses Lavender and Vanilla Collection from
Origins would make a nice treat for you, or for "mom" on
her day. The lavender is welcoming, reminiscent of friends and home, while the
vanilla helps you relax. Origins Calm to Your Senses Glistening Powder with
Lavender and Vanilla $20.00 has tiny bits of mica mixed with silica to smooth
your skin, and give it a tiny bit of glitter that shines nicely without looking "club
kid." We also liked the new Calm to Your Senses Body Smoother $25.00
which seriously exfoliates with white and brown sugars, while olive and
jojoba oils soften and moisturize skin. For more Lavender Scented treats, try Calm
to Your Senses Lavender and Vanilla Room Spray $16.00 which instantly gives
any room a relaxing, spa-like environment.
Elemis
Conditioning Hand Lotion $37.00 comes in a nice, plastic pump bottle.
Inside, a light, non-greasy lotion that absorbs easily and quickly, so you can
moisturize often without leaving grease spots on everything. The lotion feels deceptively
light, but it managed, somehow, to make our hands and cuticles noticeably softer,
immediately, leaving a very subtle, clean, herbal (one reviewer said it smelled like
freshly-washed parsley) scent. This is the one we're keeping on our desk and near the
kitchen sink, from now on. We're converts. If something works this well to keep hands soft
and smooth, that's the whole point, isn't it? Tuck one into a pretty tote with
a nail polish (or two) for Mom - a luxurious gift she will ' really appreciate.
Estee Lauder shines
up Spring with Pure Color Nail Lacquer $18.00 in sheer, shiny
shades we really love. On our list of "must haves" is a shimmery, pearly
sheer white appropriately called "Arctic." Traditionalists will like
"Cool Petal" and 'Cool Melon," which are sheer, light and universally
flattering to fingers and toes around the globe! We love the clear, substantial icy
"cube" bottle and the long lasting, shiny, luxurious color .