Home

Get Our Columns

Get Personal, Private Advice  

Get Advice Sister Alison

Find Lasting Love

Make New Connections!

New Features

Current Double-Take Q&A

Advice Sisters
Double-Take Q&A archives

WHAT WORKS Columns

ARTICLES- Wit- and Wisdom

Archives

Ask Alison Career Advice!

Clubhouse

Advertise/Link

Great Links

Privacy Policy

CONTACT US

NEW BOOK FROM ADVICE SISTER ALISON!

The long-awaited, Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition by Alison Blackman Dunham (aka. "Advice Sister Alison") is selling in bookstores for $14.95 plus shipping. Order your your copies directly through this web site and get *FREE SHIPPING & special bonuses! 

 *Free shipping is a limited offer through January 15th, 2006.  After 1/15/06 standard shipping charges will apply. Email: advicesisters1@yahoo.com for information. International shipping charges apply to all books sent outside of the United States.  Please contact the author at:  Email: advicesisters1@yahoo.com for payment & shipping details.

CLEVER LITTLE BEAUTY FINDS: It's the "little things" that make life easier and more fun. Grab a bunch for the holidays, and make your life easier and more beautiful!  We've selected some of the best and cleverest ideas of the season.  Any and all make thoughtful gifts.

Nail polish remover is something you take for granted, until you're on the road and need to use it. We've certainly had bottles drip and leak more than once!  Twister $2.99 6 oz by Cutex (new to our reviews) is nail polish remover packaged in a patented, totally portable, purse-sized container with a cap designed to minimize spills and drips. Simply open the top, insert a fingernail,  and twist the nail polish away! The Twister can be used for natural or acrylic nails, and lasts for up to 10 manicures (or about 100 fingernails). Clever and inexpensive, it's a great stocking stuffer, too.

Eye liner is a fun and dramatic way to emphasize your eyes, but if it runs, it can spoil your look and sting your eyes--not pretty! Liner Last $20.00 by EI Solutions seals the color so it lasts without smearing, smudging or fading--and it's waterproof too, so when you shed tears (of joy or sorrow, but hopefully, joy) your liner will not run! There is also Vitamin B5 to soothe and moisturize, and the hypoallergenic formula will make it safe for even sensitive eyes. Simply use the thin-line brush to coat a clear line of the sealant over your liner.

Wonder Cloth $15.00 removes makeup and dirt without harsh chemicals or drying cleansers. It looks like an ordinary washcloth, but it is actually a unique combo of Japanese plant pulp, cotton fibers, and rayon. The straight fibers penetrate into your pores, leaving your skin clean and free of make-up, oils, and pollutants. When something sounds too good to be true, I'm the one (Advice Sister Alision) who rises to the challenge to try it.  I loaded my face up with long-lasting cosmetics I know are  difficult to remove. I wet the cloth, rubbed slightly and, to my amazement, the makeup came off  with just water. I can honestly report that this cloth removed deep red lipstick, the blackest, most waterproof mascara, and even the oiliest blush, then washed clean with just water, ready for the next use. This would also be particularly great for travel or when hiking, picnicking, or camping so luckily, there's a Wonder Quickie $10.00 mini version which comes in a plastic travel pouch, and a Wonder Mitt $20.00 to revitalize and cleanse your entire body! These are simple to use and after you add a few to your beauty routine, you will really wonder how you managed without all these years! They make great stocking stuffers, too.

Eye Deux $99.00 by Caudalíe is a luxe set of eye-loving products from the Vinotherapie line that offer tired, holiday-weary eyes a one-two punch of day and night care. It packages Caudalíe Eye Lifting Serum .5 fl. oz (with grapevine resveratrol, seaweed and  other good-for-your-skin ingredients) to protect against free radicals ,aging, and wrinkles, while it softens, smoothes, and de-puffs the delicate skin near your eyes with Eye Contour Cream .5 fl. oz, containing a powerful cocktail of botanicals to decongest, soothe, moisturize and also reduce bags and puffiness. These products are gentle enough for contact lens wearers, too.  If your eyes have been overworked, treat yourself.

Boys and girls of all ages will love Bubbly Lip Treats $2.50 each (QVC six pak $5.00) by Lotta Luv. These cute lip balms are packaged as mini soda cans (complete with labels!) or as bottle caps in four familiar soda pop flavors: 7-up, Orange Crush, A7W, and Dr. Pepper. The flavors are strong and sweet, just like these favorite beverages and they really do look like minis of the real thing! The clear balm is as soothing to your lips (and your budget) as your taste buds.

Have you ever thought about professional tooth whitening but balked because of the cost?  The BLUSH Professional Teeth Whitening System $79.00  *4-pack refill $49.95) does the job, at home! The kit contains 4 applicators containing 22% Carbamide Peroxide Gel (FDA approved) which is enough for a dozen treatments! You also get 2 boil and bite (thermoforming-in the microwave) tooth trays, a storage case for the trays, and instructions and a color shade guide. We had some assistance in forming the tooth trays for our kit, but it is actually really easy to do (simply put the tray in a micro-proof container in water, pop in the microwave, put the tray in your mouth, suck in and bite down until it is formed to your teeth, then remove, add gel, and use)!  According to glamorous Cynthia Warden, the Principal of Blush Enterprises, this system is also good for sensitive teeth (tooth and/or gum sensitivity after treatment is a problem with some products). We didn't leave the tooth tray in for the suggested 45 minutes per treatment, but after just 15 minutes our teeth definitely did look whiter, with no nasty after-effects.  If you want to whiten your teeth with something more powerful that what is contained in a toothpaste or a whitening strip, this will do it at an affordable cost. This makes a unique holiday gift idea that will keep giving, too!

Too little sleep and you've got an important meeting today? Light Catch $16.50 by Biotherm is a holiday beauty helper you won't want to be without! This is an illuminating concealer that not only hides imperfections such as dark circles, but also nurtures your sensitive eye area. Natural concentrate of cucumber pulp extract moisturizes skin, leaving the area smooth and soft. Caffeine reduces swelling and the look of dark circles. Reviewers raved over the smooth application and fast-drying formula that feels light and non-sticky, but does a great job concealing less-than-lovely imperfections. Subtle, pearlized reflective pigments soften what you don't like, even further. The click-it pen means you can take it with you everywhere, for quick touch-ups. We tried "#20" which will work for light to medium complexions, but there are five shades ( #0 is the lightest, #30 is the deepest), so there's sure to be one that is the absolute best, for you.

Did you ever try to apply your lipstick in a dark place, only to find that you smeared it? LiteLips $12.95 is a creamy lipstick that comes in ten fashionable colors, but it is the clever case that really captured our attention. Push the button on the tube, and a tiny light illuminates the case so you can easily see your lips as you apply the color in the handy mirror attached to the top! The light is fairly bright, and will work up to 10,000 lights! We really loved this concept. Luckily, the company will soon be selling other light-up products as well as the lipstick through their online web site, including lip gloss, mascara, nail polish. Now that we've used these lovely light-ups, we don't know how we lived without them! "Ripe Ruby" is a holly-berry red, "Barely Berry" is a shimmery, universally flattering daytime rose-red.

After nearly 50 years on the shelves, it's hard to call Pretty Feet & Hands $6.95 by B.F. Ascher and Co. a new product, but this popular product to remove rough, dry areas on feet, ankles, hands and elbows has gotten a packaging make-over.Just shake the new, plastic tube with ergonomic design and cheerful, white, hot pink and purple lettering, flip to top open, apply a small amount to places where your skin is dry and flaky, massage it in until the rough skin literally rolls off. It is simple to use and still works just as well as ever. This makes a nice stocking stuffer, and if you visit the web site and you can even get a free sample!

Adults can break out just as easily as teenagers do. Z Lotion $45.00 2 fl. oz  by Stallex for Perfect Skin is a serious, antibacterial lotion that combines effective acne fighting medicine with  tea tree oil. Cleanse, apply sparingly, and the lotion gets deep into the pores, fighting the infection, dissolving oil, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Several of us tried it and found that it worked fast, without drying out our skin. If you are under stress or breaking out frequently, this is a product worth trying!

The Resurface-C Microdermabrasion System $85.00 by Lancôme can make a big difference in how your own complexion looks, and also makes a unique gift for someone who cares about good skin (most everyone). This two-step skin polishing and radiance renewing system with Vitamin C, doesn't use harsh brushes or gadgets that require expert operation. Instead, this do-it-at-home process has just two easy steps. Step one: open the jar of Polishing Cream with professional grade 20% aluminum oxide crystals and exclusive ingredients to enhance the exfoliation process. Gently rub on your face with a circular motion, wait 1-2 minutes, and rinse off. It has The second step: Open the tube of Radiance Renewing Vitamin C Serum (with 5% pure Vitamin C, to help correct imperfections, provide anti-oxidant protection, and improve the look and radiance of your skin. Smooth on your face at night, and follow with your favorite night cream--that's it! If you get professional skincare treatments, this kit can be used in-between for maintenance. If you've never had a skin surfacing treatment, this is the ideal system since it doesn't require any tools or training to do it properly!

Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excess sweating, isn't a laughing matter. Most over-the-counter antiperspirants are not strong enough to manage this condition, but Certain Dri $5.50 1.2 fl. oz is an easy, inexpensive, over the counter antiperspirant roll-on that has prescription strength (12%) aluminum chloride (mixed with water, not alcohol to minimize irritation) to manage excess sweating. This product is not used after a shower or bath, but is applied (sparingly) several times a week before bedtime. it won't wash off when bathing! One reviewer who suffers from Hyperhidrosis said that it really worked well. He even applied it to his ears, where he claims he cannot control the sweat (we aren't sure if this is a recommended use) and he was delighted with the results! 

At $195.00, the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is a splurge. The easy-to-use system is a battery-powered, rotating, mechanical brush that can be adjusted to suit normal or sensitive skin via two brush heads and two power levels. It comes with a recharger dock (not in photo) and a 2 oz. bottle of specially formulated Clarisonic Daily Cleanser (you can use your own, favorite cleanser as well).  The oscillating brush takes the place of your washcloth.  While you can certainly remove dirt and impurities from your skin without a mechanical device, this little brush does it much more efficiently and quickly than you can do on your own. When I review expensive beauty tools, I often wonder --does the benefit outweigh the cost? If you are able to maintain the look and health of your skin at home, the cost and inconvenience of salon treatments and trips to the dermatologist may be eliminated or at least greatly reduced and, of course, you cannot really put a price on feeling great about how you look. That said, if you really care about your skin, this will be a welcome addition to your beauty tools, and it makes an impressive gift, too.  

Brian Himmel and Edie Sherman are young Brooklnites who created Crazy Rumors, a company with products containing natural ingredients (vegan friendly) that are hip and fun!  We're reviewing their products for the first time.  For lips that lack moisture (or to keep them kissable all Winter long),  Try the Perk "Lip Latte" or Brew "Tea Balm" .15 oz tube or .25 oz tin $4.00. "Perk" (coffee) or "Brew" (tea) smell divine, and soothe and protect lips with a variety of good-for-your-skin natural ingredients (eg. shea butter, jojoba oil, Stevia, and Vitamin E). These balms don't cost a lot, but they're luxe and silky smooth, without a heavy, greasy or waxy residue. We tried the wonderfully scented "Hazelnut" Lip Latte, but there's also Amaretto, Coffee Bean, French Vanilla, Irish Cream, and Mocha. The "Brew" (tea) collection is equally yummy: Apple Spice, Ginger Peach, Orange Bergamot, Peppermint Lemongrass, Plum Apricot, and Spiced Chai. These would make fantastic and unique stocking stuffers for everyone of any age (and especially for a calorie-counting friend). Get a bunch for yourself, too. Your lips will love you for it!

HOLIDAY HOME ENHANCERS: It's the "little things" that make life easier and more fun and gift giving, successful..at home, too! Here are a few wonderful ideas to make your life easier, more satisfying, and more beautiful!

Stila's Holiday Candles $14.00 are anything but ordinary. They come in short, re-useable, no-need-to wrap (just add a bow) cardboard "tubes" with the same lovely, delicate pink designs as on their holiday kits (see "Kits in this column). The limited edition candles are simply packaged in a goes-with-everything clear glass votive containing quality, soy-based candles. We tried "Vanilla Sandalwood," an ivory colored, generously scented, soft vanilla (did you know that vanilla is considered an aphrodisiac by some?).   There is also a green tea, and a gardenia amber scent to suit your mood and make your holidays, festive. These are  perfect for an office gift or for a stocking stuffer, and make sure to stock up for yourself.

You needn't even open the pretty, ivory and gold gift box, accented with an eye-catching, three-dimensional butterfly, to get a whiff of  Annick Goutal's Votive Candle Set $45.00 (5 0 in "Noël," a strong, magical blend of of citrus fruits, Brazilian mandarin oranges and Siberian pine. The scent is simply intoxicating--it's the scent of the holidays in a box! "exclaimed one reviewer." Another: "I feel like I'm standing in a Christmas tree forest!" With raves like this, we are sure that the distinctive set of  five, off-white candles in clear glass votives ringed with gold will impress everyone on your list. They're affordable, so be sure to get a set for your home, too! TIP: candles make a great, one-size-fits-all choice for men as well as women, but make sure you choose a scent that is unisex. The pine scent of "Noël" will appeal to everyone-- even your picky boss and business associates.

The Bah Hum Zum Holiday Sampler Box $15.00 by Indigo Wild is a great value and a great way to try the high quality, innovative, all natural products from Indigo Wild!   Inside a ready-to- give, clear, plastic box tied with a thin, holly-red ribbon are 6 popular Indigo Wild products: a peppermint scented Bah Hum Zum Bow Bar (goats milk soap), Tea Tree Citrus Min-Zum Rub (moisture for chapped skin), a Bah Hum Zum Spray Mist (eliminates room odors),   Zum Kiss Lip Balm, a travel pouch of Zum Body (body balm) in Lavender Mint,  a travel pouch of Zum Wash (cleanser) In Frankincense and Myrrh,and a small vial of Eau de Zum perfume also in Frankincense and Myrrh. TIP: put one of these in your guest room as a take-home gift and a way to make your holiday guests feel at home. Be sure to get one for yourself, too. Now you can afford to brighten everyone's days & nights!

Give a gift and also contribute to a good cause--what could be better than that? Chambord, known as the "Liqueur Royale de France has an amazing, black raspberry taste and comes in a truly beautiful bottle (photo).  For the holidays, Chambord has created Le Celebration $5.99 a miniature of it's famous bottle which makes the perfect grab bag, stocking stuffer, or party gift. There is genuine Chambord in this mini, so you can open it up and enjoy the contents in a cocktail, if you wish.   More importantly,  $1.00 of Le Celebration purchase will to to Project ALS - a non profit organization that raises awareness and funds for ALS (aka. Lou Gehrig's disease).

We love the ease and safety of scenting a room with Aromasticks $40.00 8 oz. These reed diffusers by Xëla give you constant, long-lasting scent though a clear, glass bottle filled with essential oil, and topped with a natural wooden cap with a hole in it into which you place a packet of slim wooden reeds. The sticks absorb the scented oil and diffuse it throughout your environment in a constant but not overpowering way. If you want more scent quickly, simply flip the sticks around so the saturated ends are facing up. For the holidays, two special scents  bring "comfort and joy" to your home, or as a welcome gift appropriate for men, women and even that hard-to-please boss! "Enchanting Candy Cane" is a pepperminty, energizing blend of vanilla, peppermint, and eucalyptus. "Illuminating Christmas Tree" is reminiscent of a pine forest, and is a blend of pine, cedar, hemlock, fir and vanilla.  TIP: If you love the scent of pine, but don't want to fuss with a live tree, placing the Illuminating Christmas Tree Aromastick near your faux tree will give your nose the illusion of the real thing. An 8 oz. bottle lasts for up to six months!

Are you someone who travels a great deal? Know someone who does? The Laura Mercier Holiday Candle Travel Set $45.00 makes the perfect gift. Two scented, light peach- colored candles are poured into travel tins with lids, but when you're ready to travel, simply pop one into the brown, faux lizard carrying case (photo) that looks like a round hatbox from the romantic, bygone days of ocean liner and train travel!    Aromatherapy products bring luxury and relaxation to even the most road-weary traveler. The "Creme Brulee" scent in this set is a warm, slightly sweet, creamy vanilla that some reviewers said reminded them of the smell of cupcakes. It smells great, and it will relax and calm you.

For the holidays, beloved Crabtree & Evelyn features the intoxicating scent "Moroccan Spice" that is perfect for the holidays. This is a strong, aromatic blend of sweet amber blended with oriental spices and the earthiness of rare woods. The Scented Candle $25.00 makes an impressive gift, arriving in a ready-to-give cardboard tube with Moroccan-inspired earth-toned print, It is an amber-colored votive made with a vegetable wax base and a lead-free wick for a clean burn (approximately 30 hours) in a simple, white porcelain holder that will go with every decor. For another home scent option, try the Environmental Oil $7.50 .03 fl. oz. A striped, earth-toned cardboard tube holds a little glass bottle with eye-dropper too filled with scented oil, Aout 20 drops in an oil diffuser or drizzled onto potpourri will transform your environment!  Traditionalists will love the Crabtree & Evelyn,  3-piece "Noel"  Incense Set $18.00 in a maroon and gold striped cardboard presentation box with clear lid. The maroon colored incense is a soft blend of frankincense and Siberian fir. It's spicy and exotic, but doesn't knock you over. You get 36 "Noel"-scented incense sticks, 20 incense cones, and a slim, square incense burning tile in ivory.

Festive is the holiday table that is decorated with Beaded Flower Napkin Rings $24.00/8 pcs. from the RUSH Gallery. More than a dozen, delicately- beaded red & gold (photo) or purple & gold "blossoms" with rhinestone centers and blendable, green beaded "stems" arrive packaged in a green, silk pouch that makes this look like a pretty nosegay!  Remove a flower from the bunch and bend it several times around a rolled-up napkin--instant holiday table setting allure!  You might also wrap these around the stem of a wine glass, or leave one on top of each plate as a take-home for guests. No matter how you use them, you'll get lots of compliments!  Be sure to buy a few sets to thank your favorite hostesses for their holiday hospitality, too.

For monthly beauty, fashion & advice tips, subscribe to the new, free, quarterly, Advice Sisters® Enews *please fill out the form, completely or your subscription won't be entered: CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE 

We are already fans of Archipelago Botanicals. The newest collection is called "Meditation." in ten, highly fragranced scented blends. The Meditation Soy Candle in Box $30. 00 has more than 50% soy wax and comes in a printed or leather-like box, screened with Zen-inspired art. These will burn up to 50 hours! "Paramour." a stunning, maroon colored candle in a clear, glass votive with delicate, silvery, Asian-inspired trim has the spicy-fruity scent of pomegranate, mango and papaya. To scent a room without having to light a match, get the Fragrance Beads 4.75 oz $20.00, which can be poured from the cardboard package into a tray or bowl for long lasting fragrance year-round. . "Stonehenge" is a strong, sexy scent that men will love, combining smoked cedarwood, bergamot and amber into tiny black fragrance beads that remind us of miniature oriental river stones.  

The Lights of Dwali Scented Votives $55.00 by Sundari are a set of three generously sized candles. White, soy-based wax candles are mixed with different Sunadari essential oil blend. "Chameli" combined jasmine, lotus,lemongrass & cinnamon; "Gulkand" -  rose petals spun with a bit of honey and sugar with a splash of milk; and "Amrus," mango. basil, peppery) and poured into clear glass votives with gold, silver and white labels. These are ready to give, in a pretty, gold gift box with Indian-inspired white floral graphics and two small boxes of gold-tipped matches. In India, Diwali is the feast of lamps. Make any day a special occasion (or a "feast") with these beautiful, softly scented candles.

Antica Farmacista, new to our reviews this column, has created fragrance and apothecary collections in Italy for over a quarter of a century! Now the line is available in the United States. For the holidays, Antica Farmcista Home Ambiance Fragrance $58.00 250ml $88.00 500 ml is an easy and elegant was to fill your home with beautiful scent.  Wooden reed placed in the neck of the attractive, apothecary-style bottle (photo) diffuse the scent. Reverse the reeds every few days to renew.There are seven floral, fruit and spice scents. We tried "Magnolia, Orchid and Mimosa," a light, floral blend that is sweet and feminine, like a bridal bouquet. Try it in the bedroom for your next romantic encounter!   We also were impressed with Le Parfum, $58.00 50 ml created with a higher percentage of essential oils than many commercial fragrances, with a longer lasting scent that will make you feel great up to 8 hours! "Vanilla, Mandarin and Bourbon," is a soft and sexy vanilla with just a hint of spice. Some same vanilla is an aphrodisiac, so dab a bit on for  holiday parties and when you're ready to "mingle."

On GOOGLE and ALEXA, The ADVICE SISTERS® are #1 for "Beauty Review Column" your ad should be here!

About the "What Works Beauty & Fashion Review Columns: Alison Blackman Dunham  (a.k.a. "Advice Sister Alison" of The Advice Sisters®)  is a life & career expert, advice columnist, certified image & color/personal public relations consultant. She has written the "What Works" quarterly reviews since 1999. The goal of  "What Works" is to direct you to the best products and services so only products that can be given positive reviews, are included.   Each product is reviewed personally by Ms. Blackman Dunham

THE COOLEST KITS & SETS:  We love kits & sets for their value and convenience. The designers compile their best products and colors to create a coordinated look to love--normally at less than if you purchased the items individually.  Get a few of the latest and greatest for yourself  for holiday giving.

A great kit can make you look great and feel glamorous, it makes a great gift. A great gift for a lipstick loving friend is the new, Stila Midnight Soiree Lip Palette $30.00.  Inside a slim compact with a delicate pink design and an interior mirror, you'll find six generously sized pans of color  (photo)   including three lip shines "sheer Violet, Sheer Pink and Sheer Rose" and three lip colors: a shimmery orange-red, a clear pink, and a shimmery deep plum. A nice lip brush with clear acrylic handle is also included for precise and easy application, anywhere. If you adore mini-sized products (and we definitely do!), A Glazed Affair $25.00 has 6 mini-sized lip glosses (enough to get your through the holidays and beyond) in a clear, cello-presentation case. There are three pinks and three earth-tones including two limited edition shades: "Lemon" (soft pink with shimmer" and "Crème" (peachy bronze with gold shimmer). The Stila Holiday Deluxe Palettes $36.00 are limited edition tri-folds with magnetic closure and interior mirrors come with not one, but three brushes (lip, shadow/crease, liner) that give you a complete "face-in-a-case" look for the holidays, and beyond.   Choose from the "Rose Moon" palette with subtle green cover and delicate pink floral design with pink, peach, mauve and plum shadows (shimmer and matte) a pink blush, pink lip color, and sheer, shimmery pink gloss or the  "Golden Moon Palette" (brown compact with lacy pink floral design containing matte and shimmer shadows of champagne, light and dark brown, and bronze, a soft peach blush, nude lipstick and sheery, shimmery golden gloss. 

Sue Devitt Studio has a holiday kit so pretty you will use it all year. The limited edition Holiday Palette $32.00 arrives in a slim,  light blue "moc croc" compact with magnetic closure. Inside the eye-catching compact is a very large interior mirror on one side, and six sexy, glam makeup colors on the other.  You get two glittery eye shadows in shimmering white, and silver. For cheeks, there's a sheer, golden/copper glimmer, lips will sparkle with a hint of sheer, shimmery golden glitter or shimmery pearl gloss. The bling is festive, but not so over-the-top that you can't wear it in the daytime, as well. It's a beautiful collection and would make a superb and affordable gift for your favorite fashionista.

The CoverGirl Holiday Lipkit $5.20 is the perfect "little something" to add to your holiday lip collection, tuck into a stocking, add to a new makeup bag, or give to your office "Secret Santa." Six shimmery, large and small dots of lip color and gloss fit into a slim, mirrored compact with clear cover that makes this look like a work of modern art. "Fiesta" is a pink and berry themed collection to mix, match and layer. There are two large rounds of very sheer pale pink and clear gloss, two medium sized rounds of semi-sheer, shimmery raspberry and browned berry lip color, and two tiny pots of intense color lip stain in wine and hot pink. There's even a mini lip brush to make application easy. Reviewers were impressed with the colors, the quality, the presentation,  and the modest price.

We have been loving the multi-use, combinable components by Jouer. The sleek, plastic, mirrored units slide together and apart, so you can select just the colors and products you want to tote with you. The excellent, cream-to-powder products that go on moist and smooth and are long lasting. For the holidays, we suggest adding the Jouer Limited Edition Winter Wonderland Kits $25.00 to your collection. "Snowy Days" gives you an all over color (good for eyes, cheeks and lips) in"Tiare" (sheer gold shimmer) and a lip gloss in "Pink Sand" (seriously sexy, super-shiny, shimmery pink gloss). "Starry Nights" offers deep drama, with an all over color in "Dahlia," (deep, sheer burgundy red and "Breeze" lip color (deep, super-shiny, glam, shimmery cherry red)

The LORAC Lip Polish Set $17.50 by features eight mini-sized vials of some of the most luxe, high-shine lip glosses on the planet, all packaged in a silvery gift box with a cardboard holder embossed with the words:  "tempt me°tease me °taste me. You can wear each solo, or mix them together for limitless lip looks.There are seven shimmers (two are ultra-pearly): pink and light pink, rose and light rose, plum, and mauve pink, and a beautiful, deep, sheer, strawberry guava sparkle. We didn't actually get a "taste" sensation (perhaps a bit of a tingle?) but these glosses are all "glam." They're silky, non-sticky, sexy-as-all-getup and (for any lipgloss lover) the set is the "gotta get it" collection of the season! It's amazingly affordable, and the mini-tubes let you change tote one (or more) colors without weighing down your handbag. Simply wonderful!

What's better than a Laura Mercier Lip Gloss? Five Laura Mercier glosses in this season's Mini Lip Glace Set $55.00. Three color favorites and two new shades arrive in mini-sized wanded tubes. These have light-reflecting, high shine that makes lips sexy and pouty, and a bit more color than some of the standard sheer glosses. Our favorite is Fairy Dust, " a sheer pink with rainbow glitter. "Violet Glace," is a shimmery, medium mauve." There's also "Rose," and two new shades: "Brown Berry" (berried brown) and "Mystic Pink" (semi-sheer medium pink). The glosses are soft and moist, never sticky..they'll last a long time, too.   These are packaged in a clever little plastic "shopping bag" with brown handle and Laura Mercier logo! They're really cute, and the perfect gift for a lip color-loving friend (and yourself).

The Bed Head/TIGI eye shadow collection of 8 generously-sized powder shadows in a large, festive, shiny, silvery, Eye Shadow Palette compact $40.00 makes an impressive gift, for a nice splurge for yourself. The colors are brown, wine, plum, ivory, deep black, neutral, copper and peach both in shimmery, matte and glittery formulas. The cyberoptics shadows have intense color (use a soft brush for a more sheer look) that are long lasting and can be used either wet (makes a great liner) or dry. These are chic but so versatile they can be used for day or evening. We love the large, interior mirror, too.

The Stashette $46.00 by M·A·C Cosmetics looks at first glance to be a checkbook-wallet-sized shimmery floral jacquard clutch with a faux croc cover, snap closure, and a silky tassel. Inside this limited edition bag are five elastic loops ready to hold the included mini makeup brush set. You get blush/powder, shadow, small angle, liner, and lip/eye brush. The quality of the brushes is superb. Our was in shades of olive green, with a magenta tassel which comes in an olive green and moc-croc cardboard envelope-style gift package with lavender interior. There's also an all magenta and a teal version.  The Stash Box $37.00 (photo) is another holiday treat from   M·A·C Cosmetics. This limited edition, hard-sided, moc-croc case also comes stocked with pro-quality brushes with teal blue lacquer-stained wooden handles: blush/powder, shadow, small angle, liner, and lip/eye brush. The set is housed in an eye catching, turquoise colored with yellow interior, cardboard, envelope-style gift box. There is also a soft-sided, zippered, Magenta Cache (medium)  $25.00. This makeup tote in shimmery magenta is large enough to stash all the beauty items you need to tote for a weekend, or beyond. For a great gift, especially for someone just getting into makeup, stuff it with some great,  M·A·C products!   We don't know how M·A·C produced these amazing holiday items so inexpensively, but we are sure that they won't last for long.  RUN to the store! Thanks M·A·C for a merry holiday!

MD Skincare is a serious line of high-quality skincare products that are the creation of New York dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross (see our review of some of these products in our Winter 2004 column). He has created an excellent line of at-home products that are effective and simple to use.  A perfect introduction to the line, as a gift, or for travel, is the new, Skin ER Kit $68.00. This impressive kit with mini-sized products comes ready to give in a large, white, cardboard, presentation box decorated orange crosses (part of the MD Skincare logo). Inside you get: All In One Facial Cleanser with Toner (1.7 fl. oz),  Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel (4 packettes), Firming Eye Lift (.17 oz), and an Intense Hydra Mask (2 steps: step 1-hyaluronic Gel 1 oz and Step 2 - Self-heating Mask 4 packettes).  You also get a small mixing bowl, and a fan brush, plus instructions.

The RAMY Brush Set $75.00 comes in a water-resistant case, which holds another, plastic sleeve into which are nestled five brush basics:  natural bristle angled Blush brush, synthetic square eyeliner brush, Sable eyeshadow brush, Sable Lip brush and Sable eye definer brush. The brushes are soft and beautifully shaped. The case is lightweight and tote-able, making it the perfect on-the-go gift for anyone who travels. At 4" long (blush brush is 3") the silver-coated wood handles are easy on the eyes and easy to grip. Whether you're seeking a high quality makeup brush set for travel, or just a compact set for home, this will be a set that you'll love and that will last, for years. The Double Compact $35.00 by RAMY has one of the chic-est and slimmest face-in-a-case combos ever! The double-sided, double-mirrored compact is festive and silvery and the size of a double lipstick compact. Inside are a treasure-trove of products for face, eyes and cheeks: three lip colors, a Face Gloss for eyes, cheeks and lips, a Cream Gel Blush and a Highlighter--and even two mini brushes for easy application! There are two color combos to choose from. We loved "Double Diva," containing the newest colors for the season, including a gorgeous copper lip color along with a pretty berry and shimmery pearl gloss, and on the other side, a rosy Cream Gel Blush called "Me, Me, Me!" and a Face Gloss "Face Candy" and Highlighter "Center Stage" in shimmery. earthy, neutrals.

Looking for a great, glam, face-in-a-case kit for this season?  The Sexy Glamour Palette $45.00 by Bobbi Brown has three eye shadows and one lip color to pull your holiday look together, perfectly as only Bobbi Brown can do it.  We loved the new, Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows in "Glacier" and "Pewter" -- two sheer-as-a whisper colors in dove grey and ivory, plus a deep Chacoal Eye Shadow for liner or dramatic, smoky eye look.  The Cassis Lip Color is an amazing, universally flattering, moist and shiny (but not super-high-wattage) Lip Color that is one of our new favorites! You also get a dual-ended mini eye shadow/liner brush and a mini lip brush. Both are tiny, but excellent!  Love lipstick? the Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Palette $40.00 arrives in her signature, sleek, shiny black compact with chic, white, Bobbi Brown logo. Inside, are seven new and exclusive shades for lip gloss lovers--and there's a nice mirror and a mini, great-quality lip brush, too! There are color sets. Our featured warm colors including some beautiful, earthy pinks and browns in shimmers and clear shine. The other set features cooler colors also with natural shimmery pinks, plums and browns.

Unruly brows can ruin your look, yet many people really do not know how to shape, color, or care for them. The Brow Ex-Press Palette $38.00 by Anastasia is slim enough to tote when you travel, yet is comes with everything you need to keep your brows, flawless. You get four brow stencils to suit various brow shapes and styles to help you create the perfect shape for your face, along with two brow powders (light and medium brown) to custom blend to your natural color, an angled brush to apply the powder, cream highlighter to apply along the brow bone and highlight that area, and a wax cream to keep your brows in place all day and night. There are even instructions on the back of the package so you can't get it wrong! Choose from "Blonde" or Brunette."  If you're planning to give this as a gift (or you just need a great beauty tool) also get the Anastasia WCRF (Women's Cancer Research Fund) Tweezer $28.00. This slanted tweezer is perfectly proportioned to get those tiny little hard-to-hold hairs on your brow. Even better, your purchase of this pretty-in-pink tweezer with WCRF logo on the back helps support the Women's Cancer Research Fund, established to provide outreach to women and their families at risk for, or affected by cancer.

Get the Jaqua Lip Candies $7.50 for everyone's stockings and watch the smiles! They're just such fun! Three lightly scented and colored lip glosses come in a re-useable, gift-box. The twist is that they are shaped like the season's most coveted candy treats! (photo). You get Spearmint (candy cane-shaped glittered gloss), Peppermint Swirl (round, red with clear gloss) and  Strawberry Bon Bon (wrapped candy-shaped pink gloss). More sophisticated but equally as much fun is the Lip Whip Set $28.00 by Jaqua featuring three sexy lip glosses: berry, orange and nude. They come in an adorable, envelope style "candy shoppe" package with rope handle. The glosses are soft and smooth, and have A hydrating formula with Vitamin E and Beeswax. The colors are wet-look-shiny with sheer color (you can layer for more intensity). What makes these glosses different from so many others, however, has to be sniffed to be believed! They are scented to resemble: Buttercream Frosting, Tuscan Orange, and Caramel Cappuccino. These are just too much fun!  Get a set for yourself, or share them with your best friends. This would be a fun set for a younger girl who is just starting to wear makeup, too.

FOUNDATION & BLUSH: fading tans and over-stressed skin can cause blotchiness. A good foundation and blush is your best friend to cover flaws for a smooth, vibrant complexion.  New formulas with light reflecting pigments, moisturizers, anti-aging ingredients, and even SPF make wearing makeup "better-than-bare," so keep several types and colors on hand to suit whatever condition your skin is in (it isn't the same every day).  These products do more than just make you look good --they're multi-tasking beauty treatments!

If you want a credible glow in a flash, try DiorShow Loose Powder $39.00 by Dior. To apply, you don't even need a blush brush! A jar with a unique sponge top diffuses the shimmery, sheer blush, absolutely expertly. Simply glide the puff over cheeks for a translucent wash of color or shimmer, and layer more as you wish. Our pick for the holidays is "004 Spotlight Peach," which gives skin an amazing, soft, apricot glow. There are five other colors including a soft tan and a slightly deeper, soft Sienna which you can use as sexy bronzers. TIP: Use this sensational product on shoulders and décolleté for soft body-blinging appeal.

We love multi-tasking products. Silicone based Ultra Sheer $34.00 by Face Atelier is a hydrating, oil-free gel that is a blush, a bronzer, and a luminizer.  You can add a bit to your foundation to slightly alter its hue, or use it over foundation as a highlighter.  Apply it over your moisturizer for a subtle flow finish. For the holidays, use this product alone to accentuate shoulders, collarbones and décolletage (looking sexy doesn't stop at the jaw line) There are five colors including gold and bronze. We tried "Peach," and got a glow even when we didn't feel so radiant!!

Face Stockholm's latest powder Blush On $16.00 in "Willing" will give cheeks of all types a peachy, slightly pearly glow that is girly and gorgeous!  For more glam, add a bit of High-Liter $19.00 in "Sympathy." This creamy coppery shimmer can be used to add emphasis to cheekbones, on eyes, or all over for a dewy glow.

Superlasting Liquid Glow City Shimmer $6.51 by Maybelline is an inexpensive way to add a luminous glow to your complexion without being over the top glimmery.  We liked "Golden Pagoda"-- this color gives your skin a luminescent,sheer wash of gold that you can wear on bare skin or over foundation! No need to wait until evening to use this one, though. Try mixing it with a bit of  your favorite, tinted moisturizer for a very sexy, but daytime-wearable, finish! 

We have reviewed several version of Petal Essence Face Accent $17.00 by Aveda, and loved the lovely, multi-purpose tri-colored powder that goes on soft as silk (or flower petals). The newest color for the holidays is "Golden Sun, with three stripes of golden, mauve and copper with the bonus of just a whisper of floral scent. What's great about this product is that it is so versatile!  You can use it on eyes and lips as well as cheeks, and you can swipe the included cosmetic puff across all three colors for a bronze-y look, or use each one separately to color, contour and highlight as you please.

Caudalíe has luxurious products for face and body that are fun to use and effective, of course! An example is the Caudalíe Crushed Cabernet Scrub $45.00 8.8 oz. made with crushed grape seeds that we reviewed in our Summer 2005 Column. For your race, get a fresh, moist look with Caudalíe Peachy Sheen Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer $39.00. Patented pigments have non-oily, long-lasting pigments and coppery pearlizers for a natural glow, not an overly shimmery shine.  Two sheer shades ("Fair/Medium" & "Medium/Dark") suit a variety of skin tones. The toteable plastic tube makes it ideal for travel, especially since you can You can this fast drying product to give all you need for a natural day or polished evening look. There are no artificial preservatives and the pigments and pearlizers and 100% mineral based to minimize skin reactions. Organic extracts of neroli, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang and blackcurrant blend together to produce an amazing, "fresh peach-like" scent that makes application, a pure pleasure! And yes, it does provide essential moisture to your skin (shea butter, olive squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and plant glycerine) along with exceptional anti-oxidant protection! TIP: fair complexions can also use the Medium/Dark shade as a bronzer!

A romantic flush is perfect day or evening to add warmth to your complexion.  Alas, the wrong blush can make you look clownish instead of cute. A perfect, universally flattering blush for the holidays and beyond comes from the Stargazer holiday collection by NARS. This luxe NARS Blush $25.00 in "Mounia" is a sheer, cinnamon coral that is not too orange, too red, or too brown. It also features just the merest hint of gold sparkle to light up your face, perfectly. NARS makes luxe products that look great, stay true to color, and last a long time.  If you're going to splurge this season on one, great,  blush, this is it!

Powder is great at setting foundation and controlling oil, but it sometimes cakes into fine lines or makes your complexion look dry. EI Solutions Perfect Powder $32.00 might just be perfect! It comes in a lightweight, black and gold compact with room inside for a sponge applicator and mirror. More importantly, the luxe, talc-free formula evens your skintone without caking. We tried 'Honey," which will work for most light to medium skin tones, but there are two lighter, and three deeper, shades as well. The oil-free formula smoothes on with a matte finish that helps minimize pores, and still left our skin looking soft and with a natural glow.  Use it dry or wet (for more intensity). We also like the fact that it has SPF 15 to protect against the sun's damaging rays. It's really good! for a superb foundation, we suggest EI Solutions Perfect Liquid Long Wear Foundation $35.00. For starters, it comes in a pump (we wonder why more foundations, don't). It's formulated with Vitamins A, C and E and Green Tea, to protect against aging and SPF 15 for sun protection. The oil-free formula lasts for hours, and works with the pH of your skin to adjust to skin tone. It smoothes on easy without any scent and dries quickly and comes in six color. This is just a fabulous find!

Mineral products are all natural and nifty and even provide protection from the sun! Two products we especially like are from Pür Minerals:  Mineral Glow and Mineral Powdered Light. For the holidays, indulge just a bit in a Split Pan Compact $21.50 of these two in one compact, with handy sponge applicator in the bottom!  Mineral Glow is a micronized, mineral powder with gold undertones to give you a natural, subtle hint of color, not an obvious-bronze. You can use it all over your face and neck on bare skin, or over foundation or other mineral powder products, to add a bit of "ooph" when you're tired, pale, or just need a bit of a boost. Mineral Powdered Light is glowing, sheer, mineral powder designed to reflect light. Use it on bare skin to give it a subtle, sexy, glowing sheen, on top of foundation or other mineral powders, or as a highlighter on eyes, under eyes, cheeks or lips. Neither of these products will look like you've "done" your face, but everyone will wonder why you're looking so great!

The new, Sparkle Blush Puff Powder $27.00 by Clarins is loose sparkle powder that adds a glimmer to face and body. The super-sheer, rose tinted powder is pretty and leaves glittery (but not gaudy) sparkle on your cheeks and (if you wish) body.  The powder is a sure-fire winner for holiday beauty, but what's even better is the clever packaging. Instead of loose powder that falls everywhere and could open in your bag or drawer, this one is in a shaker jar with a sponge top applicator puff built right in!  You never need open the jar at all. Simply press the puff to your face....and glimmer! Clarins thoughtfully put a little round mirror in the cap, so you can glow on the go and see what you're doing!

Looking for a pretty blush to warm up your cheeks without spending a fortune? Apt 5. Shimmer 4-in-1 $6.50 and Shimmer Duo $6.50 give you great options at budget prices. 4-in-1 combines soft stripes of sheer color in pinks and roses in one large, eye-catching, clear plastic square compact. Swipe your brush across all four and get a light, cool pink shimmer, or use the two medium colors in the middle for a shimmery rose blush. The light pinks can also be used as a highlighter or dot a tiny bit in the middle of your lower lip for a sexier pout! Shimmer Duo puts two large rectangles of color together for a sheer, shimmery glow. Use the two together or separately, and get a wide variety of looks from this one, inexpensive compact. Ours featured a beautiful sheer copper shimmer with a soft mauved pink that looked beautiful on everyone. Get both shimmer compacts and you're set for the winter.

BODY BLING: The holidays are the time to show off!   Add instant glamour with some shimmer and shine. The latest and greatest products come in "body-blinging" formulas that go from subtle, to blinding, depending upon how much you apply so don't be afraid to have a little fun, especially for special occasions and in the evening.   more than any other time of year.  If you love the look, use less in the daytime when the light-reflecting properties are highest, and pile on more for evening events!

Introduced in 1999 by edgy fashion designer Thierry Mugler, Angel Innocent is a fruity oriental, a newer,  lighthearted sister of Mr. Mugler's Angel scent (see our review of the limited edition Angel-scented products in our FRAGRANCES section).  Top notes of Bergamot, mandarin and helional  mix with a heart of honey, dewberry, black currant, and passion fruit. A bottom of sugar almonds, merinque, and amber musk soften the fruit and make it soft and sophisticated, and not over-the-top sweet. The limited holiday edition, Innocent Airy Cloud Perfumed Powder Puff .35 oz $35.00 will make you feel "girly" every time you open the large, powder-blue, powder-puff tin festooned with silver, pink and white populuxe "stars" and press the large, luxe, seductively sweet, white powder puff  topped with a light blue satin bow on your body where you want a bit of sparkle and Innocent scent. For additional fragrance, get the limited holiday edition Innocent Trendy Touch Roll-On Parfum .5 fl. oz $49.00 that looks like a light blue icicle with silvery, roll-on top. Roll the scent on your skin, replace the silvery top, pop the flacon into it's blue travel pouch, and take this lovely scent with you wherever you go.

For a little luxe gift (or gift for yourself), The Totally Delicious All-Over Shimmering Body Powder $7.50 by Prestige Cosmetics is a perfect choice. We tried "Strawberries & Cream," a silvery, shimmery, light pink powder that makes your skin glow most beautifully!  The loose powder comes in a cardboard shaker container with lovely pink puff and see-through top. The scent is fruity but not so strong that it overpowers.

The Midnight Shimmer Powder $50.00 by Giorgio Armani is so gorgeous, it's hard to describe it in just a few words. The sheer, flesh-colored powder looks like any other shimmer powder when in the generously-sized, shaker-type jar with black lid (you also get a nice sponge applicator with black satin handle). The way it looks on your skin, however, is another matter entirely. Once applied, the tiny bits of glitter in this amazing powder sparkles with the brilliance of a thousand stars, and still manages to look chic and sexy, never gaudy. Although it is definitely a special occasion/evening-oriented powder, you'll look for reasons to dust it on your eyes, cheeks, lips, body--even in your hair. This is the gift glam gals are craving!  TIP: for a party look that makes you into a glimmery goddess, sprinkle a dusting of Midnight Shimmer Powder onto your hair, set with hair spray.

Sheen Cream $20.00 by Prescriptives comes in a simple, matte silver compact with clear lid. Inside is a generously-sized pot of creamy shimmer that illuminates skin in a very sexy way, adding new charm to your face, neck and shoulders! The sheer, shimmery color is long lasting and lightweight, without a greasy or sticky feel. "Twinkle" is a barely-there pink, "Beam" is slightly deeper but still flatteringly light.

Show Offs $14.00 by Benefit are pretty, mini-jars of glittery loose powder in crystally-clear jars that look like little jewels. These iridescent gems can be applied wet or dry wherever you need a bit of dazzle--on eyes, cheeks, or lips. For eyes, "Mint Julep" is a festive mint green that glitters on your eyes like the sun reflecting off fresh snow on pine boughs. "Miss Moon" is an ivory with a golden shimmer that looks beautiful dusted onto your shoulders, too. TIP: Try these wet, applied with an eye liner brush, for a shimmery, metallic-y liner that will get you noticed. 

Liked Page Two? .....THERE'S MORE! PAGE 1 features the greatest gifts of the season for everyone on your list (including you), along with the hottest products for Eyes, Lips and Nails. PAGE 3 features Fantastic Fragrances, Holiday Hair Helpers, Beautiful Bath & Body Products, and Gift Suggestions especially for Men, and our extensive, exclusive Buying Guide!