3-6-9 Is not a secret code,  it's the numbers of the three scents in Trish McEvoy's Pocketable Fragrance Trio $42.00 .2 fl. oz/rollerball.  rollerball contains enough fragrance to keep you enveloped in these beautiful scents --for months! With travel restrictions and a trend towards small evening bags, these purse-sized, easy to apply, vials are the best way to take scent with you. I have reviewed #9:Blackberry and Vanilla Musk Eau de Parfum  in various forms in previous columns. The fragrance is a complex, fresh blend of fruits, flowers and musk, combining sweet blackberry, vanilla, musk and white rose. *this scent is one of those available in a votive candle, too -see the Gifts section of this column #3: Snowdrop and Crystal Flowers, Eau de Toilette, is a light, clean, fresh blend of white narcissus, snowdrop flowers and crystal musk. It is feminine but not overly sweet, appropriate for all ages.  The most festive, I think is #6 Mandarin and Ginger Lily Eau de Toilette.  It's a sparkling fruit mixed with spice, containing notes of mandarin and ginger lily.  It's the kind of scent that translates well onto all skin types, and works well for day, evening, formal or casual wear.  With the Pocketable Fragrance Trio you'll have scents to suit your mood, or to layer if you wish. I love the clean, white and black Trish McEvoy box with black, gross-grain carry handle.  It's a perfect just-add-a-bow or hang on the tree, gift.  TIP:  Budget really tight?  Purchase these and split up the trio for individual stocking stuffers.

Rare and boutique scents are a collector's delight.  One example is Prelude to Love by Kilian from the "L'oeuvre Noire" collection, featuring seven fragrances (designed by Perfumers  Calice Becker and Sidonie Lancesseur .  The press literature is rather curious, with poetry quoted in French and abstract concepts (The collection explores the theme of "Love and its prohibitions”). But seven fragrances in pairs offers a choice of personal preference " whether in pleasure, love or pain."   Prelude to Love by Kilian "Invitation," $225.00 1.7 fl.oz refillable bottle is the 7th and newest scent that launched in August 2008.  At first sniff, I sense a floral that's intense--maybe narcissus? Actually, there are more than 16 different notes in this scent, including  bergamot, Seville orange, lemon, intense ginger and pepper with soft florals of neroli and orange blossom.  Finally I realize: it's Florence iris and iris accord that has caught my attention, while Russian leather and Cypriol that temper the "rubber" of the iris. When you're spending over two hundred dollars for a fragrance, you expect the packaging to be divine. Alas, we weren't able to experience it up-close-and-personal, but you can see from the photo that the scent comes in a black box lined with black satin that is opened with a key (adorned with a black tassel). And the glass bottle intricately textured.  Perhaps the designer intended it to be like opening a Pandora's box...once you unleash the scent you can't contain it's seductive powers. 

In 2008, among other raves, Designer Marc Jacobs’s lovely scent Daisy, won the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women’s) Beauty Award for Women's Scent - Prestige." The Advice Sisters reviewed Daisy Eau de Toilette $55.00 1.7 fl. oz last year. The fragrance is a light, golden yellow (like a daisy, of course) and features fruits and florals, including notes of wild strawberry and red grapefruit, and a bit of violet leaves, a romantic, floral heart of gardenia, violet, jasmine, and a warmer, more sensual base musk, vanilla and white woods. What I love so much about Daisy is how easy to wear it is.  The drydown is delicate and unobtrusive, the overall effect, clean/ fresh/floral. While it works well for warmer days, it’s also a good scent when you want to wear something pretty, but not overpowering or spicy. It will work with woolens as well as warmer weather wear. Last June we reviewed a new wear to way the fragrance, a Daisy Solid Perfume Ring $30.00 housed in a tiny, gold, zippered pouch/change purse. The big ring could actually be worn on a finger, but it came with a keychain so you could hang it on jeans or a handbag, too. The metal and white enamel daisy twisted open, to reveal a small amount of Marc Jacobs DAISY solid perfume. Now Marc Jacobs has added another piece of wearable scent to his fabulous line: a Daisy Marc Jacobs Solid Perfume Charm Necklace $50.00. This lovely piece looks just like the ring (with the addition of a tiny, gold, daisy tag attached to the necklace.) It comes in a black carton with a white border of daisies. Inside, there’s the same, adorable, round, zippered, gold mini-purse holding the new, pendant necklace. The white and gold enamel daisy hangs from a gold-tipped, slim, black leather cord, with the luxe touch of a gold metal adjuster, to make the pendant any length you like. Inside is the same wonderful, Daisy solid fragrance.

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Not all vanilla scents are the same. A sophisticated vanilla that doesn’t smell cloyingly sweet is the new version by Bath & Bodyworks.  Vanilla Noir, from the Signature Collection, mixes Madagascar Vanilla bean with black plum, bergamot, orange, and warm musk. The vanilla is immediately recognizable, but the fruits and musk make it warm and inviting like a Vanilla latte." The collection includes a Fragrance, Bubble Bath, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Body Butter, and a hand cream. The nicely-scented collection runs $10.50-$26.50, making it affordable for gifts, even if you’re on a budget. If you love vanilla scents but want something new and more unusual, Vanilla Noir will surely satisfy. Another new, nice fragrance is Black Amethyst, created by John Gamba, a master perfumer at Givaudan. I totally missed the exciting top notes of sparkling fruits and citrus: bergamot, mandarin, tangerine, orange, water fruits and melon, and the super-feminine, floral heart of lily of the valley, magnolia blossom, sheer gardenia, tuberose, freesia, peony petals, and camellia. What I noticed immediately was the seductive drydown of patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and vanilla, and musk. What makes this fragrance interesting is that it’s almost like the proverbial 7 blind men describing and elephant: each ones touches another part of the animal and thinks it’s a totally different beast from the other six. This Black Amethust Signature Collection Fragrance is Bath and Bodyworks first chypre–it is bold and sexy, but on some, the floral and fruit notes shine through while on others, the deeper, more sensual side of the scent is what’s most apparent. I love complex scents like this...you have to try them to see if they really suit you, but if they do you’ll be in love with it for a long, long time. The affordable collection includes a fragrance $26.50, plus a Shower Gel, Creamy Body Wash, Body Lotion, Body Splash, Bubble Bath, Hand Cream and Body Butter. The collection also expands into home fragrance and anti-bacterial products so that you can envelop your entire environment in Black Amethyst.

Demeter Fragrance Library has won our hearts with affordable fragrances that smell like things we love (e.g.,. crayons and candy hearts). Their huge "library" of scents include many that you'll find nowhere else. Although Summer is way over, Swimming Pool just recently arrived on my doorstep. When I think of swimming pools I usually think of the ammonia smell of chlorine, but Demeter's  "Swimming Pool" is a soft and pretty scent, described as a: "Soft, watery, natural ozone scent, wrapped in a fresh cotton towel." It is supposed to remind you of that relaxed feeling you get after you've lounged in the pool, not the pool water itself. Teachers, doctors, and anyone who loves scent but can't wear anything overpowering because they're close up with the public, will love this one. For the holidays, Demeter offers up three "good-enough-to-eat" scents in their "Tootsie Roll Collection: Tootsie Roll $20.00 1 fl. oz. Junior Mints $20.00 1 fl. oz, and Tropical Dots $20.00 1 fl. oz. Did you know that Tootsie Rolls were named after creator,  Leo Hirshfield's daughter, Tootsie? The Demeter Tootsie Roll fragrance smells richly "fudgy" like the candy. Luckily, when it meets your skin the chocolate shines through, but it's not overly sweet, so it really smells delectable. I am willing to bet that any man who smells this will follow you anywhere! The Junior Mints scent has a true chocolate peppermint smell. I really like this one. It's a pick-me-up-- a sexy scent that will make people turn around when you pass by (a little goes a long way). I have never eaten Dots Candy so I'm not quite sure what they really smell like, but the Tropical Dots fragrance is very citrus-y and lots of fun. I think this one is a bright, fun to wear scent that works for both men and women who don't feel the need to take their scent so seriously. You will get people coming up close to try and figure out what you're wearing. Tropical Dots smells really bright and fruity, not sweet. You don't have to worry that you'll smell like the concession stand at the movies when you're wearing this at work. The labels are tempting, and the scents are affordable as little, unique "Thank-you" gifts and stocking stuffers. Stock up!  

   Good things come in small packages, and the Advice Sisters have come to love, no, actually adore, mini-sized flat irons.  Their small size means you can get close to your scalp, or style bangs or shorter hair without burning your hand or head, and of course, when an iron is lightweight and smaller than the smallest pocket umbrella, you can take it with you everywhere for touch ups on the go.  That being said,  makes some of the best hair styling appliances around.  You get pro-style performance and reliable products that look and perform like they should cost a lot more.  For example, the  Mini Pro 1/2" Ceramic Straightener $24.00 srp.  by Conair was launched just a few months ago.  It's small, but mighty, with a 30-second heat up time and the power of a full-sized iron. Ceramic plates glide through hair, reducing frizz and boosting shine, and the plates also distribute heat evenly, for better results.  There's a lighted on/off switch Dual voltage and even a high heat setting makes this a luxe product, and it even comes with a pretty, black and white, floral printed, heat-safe storage pouch so you can  protect it when you travel, and put it back in your bag when it's time to get going.  There's a limited 2 year warranty even though Conair makes these products so well you will probably never have a moment's difficulty with your new iron.  Just a few years ago the thought of being able to straighten your hair, anywhere, with a mini-sized iron, seemed impossible, but straight-hair dreams are coming true with this amazing, Conair mini.  I love it, and I think it's one of the best gifts you can give a girl, of any age this holiday season.  TIP:  Conair has a number of other, equally wonderful, high quality products that make great gifts with something extra. These  "Power of Pink" products are not only a feminine and have a fun, pink color, but your purchase also helps support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.   Read the reviews of  the Power of Pink Iconic Hair Styler;  Power of Pink Hot Set Rollers;  Power of Pink Hair Straightener, and Power of Pink Ladies Personal Groomer

Are visions of sugarplums dancing in your head?  The best way to show your festive side is not with the traditional sugarplum--a piece of candy that is made of sugar and shaped in a small round or oval shape, but with Lip Ornaments $12.00 by Philosophy. A cheerfully-decorated, light cardboard triangle with a cello window, red and white striped hang tag, and a "to/from" gift tag right on the box, holds a squeeze tube of lip gloss. but it's not just any gloss, these are in seriously deliciously scented spicy pear, gingerbread and red velvet...mmmm!  We tried  "Gingerbread," a shimmery, super-shiny, golden glimmery and spicy scented gloss that makes every day just a little bit happier. These are great stocking stuffers, or for holiday cheer, hang these on your tree, invite your BFFs over for cocktails, and let them each  take home something they'll really adore all season long.

For me, designer makeup is more than just a way to look pretty, it's a way to experience "couture" without emptying my wallet for the year.  Hubert de Givenchy is recognized as one of the world's most revered fashion designers.  Even if you can't afford a Givenchy dress, you can get the feeling with Givenchy's fragrances, cosmetics, and advanced skincare that make you feel elegant and pampered.  For example, Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick  26.50 is so chic, it comes with a plastic protector over the ribbon "pull tag" with tiny, square, silver holder (and Givenchy logo) that adorns the bottom of the silvery lipstick tube (also embossed all over with the Givenchy logo). The smoked plastic cover has gold accents including a trio of starry fireworks....and that's before you even get to the lipstick.  Well, maybe it's a bit more than just a lipstick.The satiny-smooth formula moisturizes beautifully, and layers color with a high-wattage shine, thanks to mother-of-pearl and multi-hued shimmers. There are  13 shades ranging from rich nudes to vibrant brights including the one we tried:  "02 Nude Shimmery" a party-perfect, pale pink shimmer that is almost glittery, but looks like it could just be your own, sexy, pouty lips. This one's a limited edition available exclusively at Sephora. Color, shimmer and shine in a wanded tube make a perfect lip gloss, like Givenchy's Pop Gloss Crystal $22.50  The easy to apply gloss is so lightweight on your lips you won't remember you have it on, but it has moisturizers, and castor oil and an exclusive, good-for-your-lips "Pulp Shine Complex" with  active ingredients that help make lips actually look more vibrant. The gloss also features " Vitalip" that exfoliates and stimulated new cells...now that's a gloss we can't live without!  There are 20 colors including the limited edition, only-at-Sephora,  "Plum by Night" that coats lips with glittery shimmer, shine, glam and a deep, sexy berry. Needless to say, they're great gifts, too.

A great lip balm is a "must-have" now through those skin-drying Winter months. Bypass unappealing, waxy sticks and give your friends updated, sophisticated, lip balms such as any of the SoftLips Lip Conditioning Balms $2.79/each $3.99/2 pack by SoftLips is slim enough to fit into a tiny handbag or tight jeans, but they'll pack a punch against dry, chapped lips. The balms are moistly-matte, so you can wear one under your favorite lip color, and your special guy can borrow it  (but there's a plain unscented version, too). I love the SPF 20,  delectable, moisturizing, flavored balms in French Vanilla, cherry, mango, mint, strawberry, and raspberry and some come in limited edition multi-packs. SoftLips PURE  $2.99 have two new flavors:  zingy "Pure Pomegranate" and succulent, "Honeydew." The PURE glosses feature pure organic oils and beeswax to help restore moisture, plus shea butter and Vitamin E to keep them smooth.  What's more, both are 95% organic and 100% natural, and in recyclable packaging! These can actually be found in the cough and cold aisle as certified organic under the strict USDA guidelines.  Also new are Softlips SPF 15 Tinted glosses $2.99. They're in the same, slim, swivel up case and also pamper your lips, but they feature just a bit of a tint in "Bronze" or "Rose."  They simply enhance the color of your natural lips.  All the balms are silky and soft, and last a long time without feeling heavy or greasy.  These are so inexpensive you can afford to give the entire collection to someone  (and look like a "big shot" on a small-beans, budget), or treat yourself. TIP:  dark and red lips are hot this season, but your lips must be in perfect condition to pull off  the look. Regular use of a lip exfoliator and lip balms, will help.

Precious metals are always coveted, no matter what the economy brings us. The Trish McEvoy Gilded Lip Color $24.00 in "Iced Pink" combines a girls two favorite colors: pink and gold, in a seriously glamorous lip sheen (there's a plum and Bordeaux, too).  A shiny silver lipstick tube displays a discreet, Trish McEvoy logo in black. Inside,  there's a luxuriously silky, deep rose lipstick with plenty of metallic sheen, coated in sparkles to delight, every time you use it. The Iced Pink color we tried adds a flattering lift to literally,  every complexion.  It's a wearable daytime-to-nighttime color that dazzles. TIP:  Pop one of these new lipsticks into the Trish McEvoy Portable Beauty Brush Set in "Pure Platinum" (see the Gifts For her Section of this column) for a treasured gift she'll always remember!

Holidays are supposed to be fun, so why not make your holiday makeup fun to use, too?  Bath and Bodyworks has developed some high performance lip products that look great and also taste and smell yummy. The Dual-Wand Lip Plumper $8.00 helps lips look full and sexy, with a tingly, glossy dual-ended wanded gloss in three color and taste combos you have to experience to believe! We tried the neutral combo of "Dulce de Leche" (deep shimmery copper gloss that smells like spiced coffee) and "Brown Sugar" (light, shimmery beige that smells like caramelized sugar). Worn separately you get two earthy shades–one super light, one dark. Worn together, they soften to a shimmery copper that smells so good, you’ll want to wipe it off and re-apply all over again! There’s also a pink combo (Pink Peppermint & Spun Sugar), and a berry combo: "Raspberry Sorbet & Strawberry Smoothie." Another great product at a great price is the 2-In-1-Moisturizing Lip Color & Sugar Scrub $12.00. A stubby, matte silver, dual-ended tube holds a slim, sweet-tasting, lip exfoliating sugar scrub. Just a little bit makes lips totally smooth wherever, whenever you need to slough off flakes or dead skin. It feels gritty but it doesn’t rip your lips to shreds, just lightly removed the dead and flaky bits that can stick to your lipstick and ruin the look. The other side holds a slim, nurturing, creamy lip color. We tried the "Pomegranate and Brown Sugar" combo with a soft, rosy pink lip color. There’s also a neutral, "Coconut Truffle & Brown Sugar" scrub combo, and a berry, "Candied Apple & Brown Sugar" scrub combo. We didn’t try these, but based on the one we did try, we think they’ll be delicious and a constant companion throughout the Winter months! Add life to your regular lip color with a Dual-Wand Lip Shimmer $10.00 in "Platinum Glow and Gold Dust." One side holds a sheer gloss with a wealth of starry silver shimmer in it. The other side holds a sheer, slightly peachy gold with gold shimmer. Brush a bit of these shiny, silky, shimmery, sheer glosses over any other color to add night-time glamour. They’re sheer enough make an old color, glam for the holidays and are fun on bare lips to add glimmery shine.

Sothys was an exclusive, beauty institute in Paris in the 1940's, with customers who enjoyed fine French products created by Dr. Hotz, a medical biologist.  By 1966, the Mas family acquired Institute and Chairman Bernard Mas expanded the Sothys range. In the late 1970's, Sothys entered the U.S. market, and continues its French traditions for  American women.  There are dozens and dozens of skin and bodycare treatments and products, but Sothys also has an impressive line of color cosmetics. I  am a big fan of Sothys super-smooth, long lasting Hydra Glide Lipstick 233.00 with more than two dozen color choices with nurturing ingredients such as Vitamin E derivative, shea butter, aquafix, allantoin,  and "Sepilift®"  (anti-aging - anti-pollution).  I also like the wanded Radiance Gloss $21.00  that stains lips with silky, intense color that combines the best of a long-lasting lipstick, with a hydrating gloss. Add a non-drying,  Waterproof Lip Pencil $16.00 to define and shape lips. #8 "Ecorce," is a very glam, shimmery gold that adds a touch of glamour to even the most bland lip color. The dual-ended pencil has a good lip brush to help you blend it all, perfectly.

Pink flatters every complexion, brightens a pale face, and generally add a feminine, flattery to lips. Pink will never be out of season, or out of style. Two pink lip products we love that are available at Sephora, include the Kat Von D for Sephora Lightning Lip Gloss $18.00 that smells like berries, and reflects the light with just a bit of sparkle and a splash of bright, sheer pink tint. and Sephora Lip Attitude $12.00. a classic, creamy, semi-sheer, non-shimmery lipstick that includes a complex of omega-3 and vitamin E to protect lips, and comes in 20 colors. Read the entire Product of the Week Review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Lady Primrose is known for beautifully packaged bath and body products, but when I was re-introduced to the line at the New York International Gift Show, I learned that they've expanded their lines quite a bit. One little product I really like is their tube of Brown Sugar Lip Scrub $8.00 .25 oz. The clear, lip balm is infused with sweet tasting grains of brown sugar that dissolve and take with them, dead, dry skin cells, while magically leaving your lips soft and hydrated. If your lips tend to get dry and cracked in the Wintertime, this is a must-have. Keep one in your purse at all times. These make great stocking stuffers, too.

The best way to apply mascara is to "roll" it on your lashes, but this rolling motion is difficult to do on your own.  There have been several mechanical mascaras that have hit the market in the past couple of months that automatically mimic the right motion. Spinlash $19.99 By  mimics the gentle motion of the rotating brush and it separates lashes while it coats. lengthens, and volumizes. What I really like about this is that the while the wand gently rotates 360°, the motion is slow, quiet and gentle, so I wasn't afraid to put the spinning wand up to my eyes.  The wand works exceedingly well on both upper and lower lashes, thanks to a control button that spins the wand up for upper lashes and down for the smaller, lower lashes.  Each lash was perfectly coated, volumized, and had no clumps whatsoever, with absolutely no expertise or effort required. The unit comes heavily packaged (the hardest thing was extracting the wand and mascara from the plastic clamshell, and it arrives with a nice, black or black/brown mascara. If you wish, you can dip the Spinlash wand into your own favorite brand if you prefer. The battery-driven wand should be tossed within 3 months, as with any normal mascara, making this a bit pricey. Still, the Spinlash is novel and gives great results. Give one to your a makeup lover this holiday season--it's a novel, welcome, and practical, gift.

A must have in your makeup bag for the holidays is one of the new,  Holiday Eye Palettes $40.00 from Dior.  Quintets of silky, shimmery, easy-to-apply eye shadows come in warm and cool with a glittery deep shadow liner to compliment four other color shadows. Two applicator brushes and a large, mirrored DIOR compact make for a perfect holiday look and an even more covered holiday gift idea. The shadow can be worn blended for a subtle sheer, or layer on a few for high perle and iridescent shimmer you can bank on for a day-to-evening party look. Ours, "Moonlight" featured soft pinks and mauves, and a seriously gorgeous, glimmery, deep, deep plum powder in the middle to be used for a sparkly smoky eye, or a great liner.

For the holidays, I love Sothys Wet/Dry Eye shadow $13.00 in a square, golden compact. "Feu" is a wonderfully shimmery, gold that can be dusted on lightly with the enclosed dual-tipped brush/sponge but will literally gild your eyelids with dramatic, metallic appeal if applied wet. The moisturizing, creamy, powder shadow has emollients and "Sepilift®" (anti-aging/anti-pollution).  There are a dozen colors to choose from, so you'll always be able to match your color to your mood.

I love the look of glitter, but you not when it's overdone.  That's why I am in love with the Noir Cosmetics Liquid Eye Liner $15.00 in "Starry Night" leaves a trail of glittery silver mixed with black across your eyelids that looks sexy and mysterious, but not club kid. The black liner applies easily and smoothly with a super fine-line brush. The glitter is mixed in but somehow manages to be distributed evenly, so you don’t have to go back and re-apply bare spots. Although I’m not a wizard with a liquid liner, just a thin line of this pretty, glittery liner is enough to light up your eyes and your party looks. The liner dries fast so it won’t smudge or rub off if you touch your eyes. Amazingly, the glitter stays put, too.. The look is sparkly, but elegant. It’s a fun splurge for yourself this holiday season, and a great stocking stuffer for a good friend or deserving teen.

This time of year, a huge fringe of expressive eye lashes completes the latest eye looks. But some people don’t want to wear false eyelashes to get the length and thickness that false eyelashes provide. I am in this group. I don’t like false eyelashes. So I was particularly excited to try Lash Injection Pinpoint Extreme Defining, Volume & Lengthening Mascara $19.50 by Too Faced. Could a simple mascara coat every single lash, add thickness, and lengthen like the fakes? Lash Injection' exclusive 3D Polymers build a waterproof "tube" around each lash that help expand and stretch the lash beyond the lash line. A slim mascara brush helps get the product onto every single lash–even those little ones in the corners that are usually hard to coat. The first coat colors lashes nicely, but if you go back and add another one or two coats, what you get is pretty much the effect of false eyelashes! The waterproof formula goes on smoothly (even after a couple of coats), dries fast to prevent smudging, and doesn’t clump or flake. When it’s time to remove the mascara, you can use soap and water, although eye makeup remover works faster. If you’re wondering whether you want to purchase this somewhat pricey mascara, consider that it’s actually good for your lashes and well as making them look good: the polymer tubes act a bit like a protective paraffin dip treatment, locking moisture into your lashes to keep them conditioned and hydrated. For all this, we think it’s well worth the cost, especially to add "oomph" to your holiday eye looks. TIP: Apply eye liner before mascara. For the best effect, apply mascara at the lash root and brush UP with a slight wiggle back and forth.

Benefit Show Offs $16.00 little pots of loose, shimmer powder with layerable, sheer color that add a bit of glam to eyes, cheeks and lips, without looking gaudy.  Apply to powder dry for a subtle shimmer, or use a brush and water to paint the color on with a higher intensity.  You'll get a solid, metallic-like finish that lasts!  Eight colors from "Miss Moon" (white gold shimmer) to "Curtain Call" (deep blue) make "making up" for the holidays, a lot of fun! These are great stocking stuffers for fashionable friends and family, too.