If you read this What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review Column regularly, you know that we are great fans of Pevonia Botanica's high quality products that offer spa-quality experiences, at home. from October through the end of December, Pevonia Botanica is offering a bunch of beautifully-packaged gift sets for men and women. One we particularly like (for you as well as for gift-giving) is the Spalasium Assortment, packaged in an elegant (and re-useable)  metallic-y brown and copper gift box .Inside are a Softening Indulgence Body Moisturizer, a wonderful, Spalasium Soap (on a re-useable, wooden tray) and  Spalasium Vital-I-Tea's with different flavors to slenderize, rejuvenate, renew, and energize. Check our FALL 2005 review to learn more about Vital-I-Tea. These are wonderful, hot or iced--just the thing to renew your body, mind and spirit any time.  TIP:  In their pledge toward increased health and wellness, Pevonia proudly signed the "Compact for the Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products." Pevonia also has philanthropic outreach with The Skin Cancer Foundation, supporting skin care awareness and health through a Pevonia Melanoma Research Grant. This is just another (in a long line) of good reasons to purchase Pevonia Botanica products. We will be reviewing more Pevonia Botanica gift sets in our December review, so watch for it. 

FABULOUS BEAUTY TOOLS: 

Good makeup brushes are an investment, but if you want your makeup to look great, they're simply a "must-have." Use professional-quality tools, and you'll get pro-quality results. For example the  Professional Stipling Brush $35.00. by Sephora This soft flat brush has a nicely-shaped head that picks up just the right amount of color for blending or dabbing bronzer or blush. We also like the Sephora Professional Natural Fan Brush $35.00 which blends excess color into a natural glow, or adds a sheer wash of translucent color. The soft, light "fan" doesn't pick up as much color all at once as a blush brush would, so you can apply a little at a time over a wider area, and not end up with "stripes." Try it for soft sprinkle of shimmer powder  for a soft, diffused glow. For eyes, we suggest the  1/4" Natural Small Eyeshadow Brush $18.88 and the Medium Eye Shadow Brush $20.00, both great to blend away hard edges and ensure that your lid colors are smoothly distributed. My fave is the Flat Eye Liner Brush $18.00 with synthetic fibers. It lets you apply dark powder shadow precisely along your upper and lower lash lines with absolutely no flubs!  If you're going to give brushes as a gift, we suggest adding a bottle of  Sephora  Brush Shampoo $10.00 4 fl. 0z. Simply spray the cleanser on brushes, rinse them in tepid water, and let dry overnight. Brushes will be like new.

The Advice Sisters always review each product in this column, but just this once I'm including a  product we didn't try, but that you think you'll want to know about. With the holidays in full swing, many women (and men) who color their hair may look in the mirror, and spy a "skunk line" where there wasn't one last time!  With no time for a salon appointment, Quick Tint $12.50 might be the perfect rescue. This is a click-it pen filled with instant hair root touch up creme. You simply twist the click-it pen until the color appears in the brush, Then apply a tiny amount of pigment to the included, small comb or directly to your roots. Comb through and that's it. The waterproof foundation can be removed with a bit of veggie or baby oil, or a makeup remover pad (swipe over the color and shampoo out). This is totally tote-able, too. To get best results, you are supposed to pick one of 10 shades from blonde to black closest to your hair color (you can even use it on eyebrows). If you find the right color, you'll never be caught with a "skunk stripe," again.

FASHION ACCESSORIES:

The Advice Sisters have long admired the adorable products from Sugar Cosmetics. We've made a contact and we'll be reviewing even more Sugar Cosmetics in our December column, but right now, we're loving the I Shop For Sugar Mini Makeup Palette $12.50. A cardboard mini "shopping bag" festooned with multi-colored dots,  hold four fab, super sheer, "sugary-sweet" tasting lip glosses in pink, peach, clear and rose and that's not all: you also get four eye shadows in super-pearly and shimmery shades of grey plum, brown and pink, plus a mini sponge applicator, and a mini lip brush. We can’t think of a teenager or a young-at-heart woman who wouldn’t love to have one of these on her dressing table. You get a lot for just a little money in an adorable package that makes it perfect for a stocking stuffer or office grab bag, or for a little "just because" treat for yourself.

 "DO GOOD PRODUCTS" - LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT: 

The Color Of Hope Bracelet $24.95 by L'Oreal Paris, is not only a chic fashion accessory,  it's a way for L'Oreal (and you) to support the fight against a very deadly disease: ovarian cancer. Now through the holidays, L'Oreal Paris is donating 100% of the net profits  ($5.00 per bracelet) to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). This is the leading independent, non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to advancing research, raising awareness and finding a cure. To date, the OCRF has funded 89 researchers at 41 leading cancer institutes nationwide. This lovely, sterling silver bracelet is an interpretation of the gold and diamond version given to 2005 Academy Award Nominees including Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, and Hilary Swank, Among others who have championed the fight against ovarian cancer. Our version (the sterling silver one) is adorned with a rolo-type chain and an "O" shaped clasp and toggle encrusted with pavé cubic zirconias (for a bit of sparkle). It comes in three lengths so there is one to fit nearly every woman on the planet! Wear yours, and let others know you are looking good and doing good for other women. These bracelets come beautifully boxed in hard-sided presentation cases--and they are a great value. Just two more reasons you'll want to get a bunch for holiday gift-giving. Visit the L'Oreal Color of Hope web site to order your bracelets and learn more about L'Oreal's involvement in this initiative.

Curél is a family favorite when it comes to dealing with dry skin, but this winter, there's another good reason to purchase this moisturizer: Curél is launching the "Winter Blues" Campaign, an initiative through with the Curél brand is supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross (with a donation of $250,000), The blue, plastic pump bottle of Curél Ultra Healing Lotion $8.99 13 oz. is gussied up through the holidays with snowflakes and the iconic emblem of the American Red Cross. Additionally, Curél will be linked to the American Web Cross web site to enable you to log on and make a direct donation (a time-saving idea that ensures your donation gets where you really want it to go). Curél Ultra Healing Lotion is an inexpensive but effective moisturizer to soothe and hydrate dry, chapped body parts (especially hands, feet, knees and elbows) so you'll feel good in more ways than one when you purchase a bunch of Curél Ultra Healing Lotion in their limited edition  packages (they make great gifts, packaged with wooly socks and gloves) 

KITS AND GIFTS:

Some people buy shoes at any reason to celebrate, from a hot date, to a gloomy day. Makeup lovers buy...makeup!  One new compact I'd definitely deem splurge-worthy is the gorgeous, Black Gem Palette $90.00 by Giorgio Armani debuting this month in time for holiday merry-making. Like all the Armani compacts, this is a  round,  black matte, mirrored, multi-layer compact, but this time Armani has dressed it up with a subtle "burn-out" of delicate, shiny black flowers with tiny, sparkling, black Swarovski crystal-studded centers. Not everyone can afford a couture Armani gown, but this palette is a designer original from the "Maestro" and it's affordable (if only we could refill it --it's such a show-stopper). Open the mirrored compact to find a first layer of four, jewel-toned eye shadows in shimmering, evening shades (that can be worn without blinding your adoring public during the daytime, too), ranging from a deep grey-black and a holographic, dark marine blue, to a soft, browned lilac and a sparkling pearl grey. These can be layered for different effects or worn solo. Flip up the top layer and see the pretty, sheer shimmer powder (#3) embossed with the same, delicate floral design featured on the compact, but this time, in pale gold. You might be reluctant to swipe your powder brush in this one and disturb the design, but dusting the sheer, shimmery powder on your skin will give it a sensuous, golden glow... so don't hesitate. This gorgeous "black gem" is here for the holidays, but we are sure it will sell out quickly, so please, do get yours, fast.   

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The other day I was walking past a FACE Stockholm store, and the window was festooned with little, round, velvet pouches in a number of different colors. I was so captivated by these soft, feminine, pouch-y, almost round Velvet Makeup Bags $22.00, that open and close with a larger but traditional-looking metal "change purse" type clasp. In fact, these look a little like a change purse blown up to big size.  If these had a little chain, they'd make an exceptional, mini-evening bag. As is, they're still a stunning way to carry your beauty items. We'll be reviewing some of the holiday, 2006 FACE Stockholm collection in this column, the rest in the December/Holiday column, but you can get your own Velvet Makeup Bag in FACE Stockholm stores, right now.

SNEAK PEEK: A purr-fectly adorable gift at a perfectly affordable price is Perfectly Kitten $42.00 by Stila, a luxe gift of shimmery shades that will have you glowing from Thanksgiving through Valentine's Day. A silvery, no-need-to-wrap, gift box holds a soft-as-a-kitten, ultra suede makeup bag in soft brown,  with a pewter star charm dangling from the Zippe . That would be cute enough for gift-giving (or as a little thank-you-to-me, gift) but inside you'll find a trio of treats that are universally pretty:  There's a sparkly, champagne-colored Eye Shadow (absolutely looks great on everyone) that I adore called "Kitten," along with a long-lasting but sheer, All Over Liquid Shimmer Luminizer in glitzy peachy-pink (#6) to give your entire complexion a boost, or just dot on cheeks, eyes, and lips as a highlight, and for lips, one of Stila's fabulous IT Glosses (also called "Kitten") in flatteringly-shimmery, champagne pink. A Stila gift is one she'll adore. Stock up because all the girls and women on your list will covet a Perfectly Kitten. Watch for more Stila gifts in our December column. 

Thanksgiving is this month, and of course, the rest of the holiday season will soon be in full swing. Whether you're looking for a unusual gift for a fashionista, or just a pretty pick-me-up eye shadow look for yourself, the  Astonishing Acrobat $28.00 and the Tantalizing Tamer $28.00 by Bourjois are perfect choices. Debuting in October, and available through mid-January, these shimmery, holiday-inspired, powder eye shadow trios (the same wonderful "baked" shows that Bourjois is beloved for) are packaged in vintage-style, keepsake tins, along with a makeup application card that instructs you on the latest looks for day and night, using both wet and dry applications. These large, round, gold tins are embossed with gorgeous Victorian style graphics featuring a lovely showgirl. The Astonishing Acrobat features a sexy woman sitting coyly on a swing high above the big top, and inside,  an intense dark blue, and very shimmery silver and light pink, complete the trio, along with two mini-sponge applicators with curvy, clear handles. The Tantalizing Tamer features a svelte, top-hatted temptress wearing boots and carrying a whip (for the lion, of course). This trio features super-shimmery ivory, lime green and a sizzling copper. The colors are soft, smooth, long-lasting, and intense. When wet, they add intense, almost metallic color to lids or as a longer. Dry, they're still shimmery, but a bit softer (for day). These are simply must-haves (and you can keep your Gloss Troupe $15.50 mini-lip glosses (fabulous, and from the Holiday Collection) in the tin once the shadows are finished. For more on the Gloss Troupe and other Bourjois holiday gifts, watch for our December/Holiday "What Works" column, coming next month!

FESTIVE FRAGRANCE:

Armani Code for Women is one of those memorable fragrances that will always remind you of someone special who wears it, every time you get a whiff.  Last month, Giorgio Armani added Armani Code Body Lotion $39.50 6.7 fl. oz and Shower Gel $35.00 6.7 fl. oz. to the collection. The Body Lotion isn't just any "ho-hum: moisturizer, it's a luxe, silky, fast-absorbing lotion that is generously scented with wonderful, Armani Code.  Ditto the pH balanced Shower Gel, which offers rich, cleansing foaming lather when mixed with water, scenting your body with more Armani Code scent, but with a slightly "fresher" and more citrus-y feel. I also really like the ultra-light blue plastic packaging with shiny tops, that mimics the graceful, tall and slightly cured glass bottle containing the fragrance. In November, there's a new product being launched: Armani Code Body Crème $52.50, packaged in a glass jar for the holidays. *watch for our review of this nourishing and illuminating skincare product, next month! When we first wrote about this unique, spicy floral it in our April 2006  column, we said it was: "sexy for sure, but it doesn't wallop you over the head with it." Just to refresh your memory, the fragrance starts spicy with a touch of vanilla, but quickly morphs into a light, soft floral spice. The scent is substantial, but not overly heavy, so you can wear it day or evening. The top notes are orange blossom and two types of slightly spicy,  orange peel. The middle notes include Tunisian orange blossom absolute mixed with Sambar jasmine from India, adding some florals and a hint of romance (not overly heavy and not too sweet).  Bottom notes of Madagascan vanilla and a hint of honey add a bit of exotic surprise. The mix  is subtle, spicy, soft, chic and sensual. Whether you're purchasing these products to add to your own collection, or to introduce someone special to the charm of Armani Code, you'll be making memories for all who encounter Armani Code.  

HOLIDAY HOME:

Essencia Aromatics, new to our reviews  is a skincare line that prides itself using pure, beneficial, plant-based ingredients in combination with other botanicals, such as herbs, flower petals, oatmeal, almonds, and aloe, plus natural beeswax and honey.  The company also makes aromatherapy and home products. We checked out the large size Aromatherapy Candle 4x4 $24.00; 3x3 $24.00 or the smallest, 2 x 2 $17.00. Our was Lavender and Spearmint  (there are 5, herbal-themed scents in all)/  The larger sizes are tailor-made for the holidays, packed in a lidded, square, re-useable,  straw box.  Inside the box is the real treat, however: a soy wax candle containing a blend of pure lavender and spearmint essential oils (lavender is calming, spearmint, uplifting). I love the naturally golden-ish candle color, hand poured generously into a substantial, clear, square, imported crystal votive. The look is classic, and elegant, and it goes with every decor for every occasion. Soy wax burns longer and cleaner than traditional candles, so you'll be happy to know that these are 100% soy wax, scented with intoxicatingly beautiful essential oils of Lavender and Spearmint, and fired up with a  paper wick (three wicks actually, in the larger size).  The candles come in three sizes, so you can put one at your desk, others at your bedside, bath, and living room.  TIP: the holiday season begins in November, but the real gift-giving frenzy will begin next month. Candles, especially luxe, beautifully presented ones like these, are always a great gift. Get a few of these now, for your own home, and get a few for those "I don't know what s/he likes" people on your gift list. 

Pink Butter cream is the stuff we dream about when we're dieting, and dying to taste, when we aren't dieting. Now, we can have our proverbial cake and icing, too, in a super-fun scented candle by Jaqua. Their Pink Buttercream Frosting Candle $18.50  is a hand-poured, soy candle (soy burns longer and cleaner than other waxes) and it is strongly infused with Jaqua's "can't-resist-it" Pink Buttercream Scent. Every time I look at this pink candle I think of the birthday cakes I had as a little girl, that smelled luscious enough for me to dip my finger in the icing before the guests even got a taste (unless one of the boys I invited beat me to it)!  Even the pink striped box with fancy lettering makes me think of a girly birthday cake!  Luckily, we "adults" can relive the memory and enjoy the scent every day. The lovely frosted glass votive holds a candle that will burn for up to 30 hours. Now that's what I call, the icing on the cake! *next month we're reviewing another, Pink Buttercream product by Jaqua - you'll love it!

HAIR HELPERS:

The Creative Hair Tools Hand Made Large Wide Teeth Comb $9.90 at 6" long by 3" wide, in faux tortoiseshell, is not only beautiful to look at, it is a must-have tool in your hair care arsenal. These combs are saw cut from a single sheet of Italian-produced cellulose (cotton) acetate and the comb is hand made in India. Cellulose won't build up static, especially important during the Winter months when everything tends to stick with static, making it impossible to tame hair. The generously sized teeth are gently rounded so there aren't any burs to break hair and cause split ends, or distress an already sensitive scalp. In this day and age, when everything is completely stamped out by machine, we thinks it's great that there is a company still producing beautiful items, with hand craftsmanship touches, and we're cheering  Creative Hair Tools combs! 

Adjustacurl $16.00/4 $40.00/10 by Maxius, could be the best thing that ever happened to women who use rollers, especially if you don't have tons of storage space, or you like to travel. These make- your- own rollers are actually large plastic sheets rimmed with velcro, so they pack flat, are self-holding and adjustable to any size you desire. Roll them to any size between 1-4 inches. When you're finished using them, simply uncurl the sheets and store them flat! You can also bend your hair under part of the roller, to lift it right at the roots (no other roller can boast this). They're inexpensive and effective! Last holiday season we reviewed the Maxius Mini Glide $49.95 (see review and 3-D image) along with styling products of Beyond Straight and The End $29.95/set. This year I'm delighted to review another unique styling product by Maxius that I really like: Hairsplay $7.00/2 oz. , $16.00/10 oz. The nice, directional nozzle energetically dispenses this multi-use product, offering environmentally-friendly and modern ingredients such as rosemary and sage extracts (for healthy hair), along with Ginseng (for lasting support). As a hairspray, it has nice holding power, a very light and natural scent, won't make flake or make hair sticky, and leaves a nice shine. I liked it even better as a root lifter. I tried it on overly-long bangs, figuring that if this product really lifts at the roots and keeps lifting, it would be great on the rest of my hair,  I spritzed with water, blow dried, and waited. The roots were definitely lifted--enough so that I didn't have to tie back those bangs, for hours. Still, my hair was very brush-able (and Maxius has great brushes to try, too) soft, and shiny). you can't beat that! *read next months' column for a review of the Maxiglide (makes a great gift)

A brand-new Redken product we think you'll want to know about (launched just last month), is Redken Touch Control 05 Volumizing Texture Whip $12.95. Inside the sleek, matte, silvery can is a lightweight mousse that gives your hair body and volume (which you might expect from a volumizing mousse) but it also protects your hair against heated appliances and environmental saboteurs!  Simply dispense some of this mousse from the nozzle top into your hand, and apply it to your damp hair before using a blow-dryer or diffuser (or let it air dry). You'll get mild to moderate control, but you'll also get thickening agents to add body and texture, xylose sugar to give you hair protection when using heat appliances, wheat protein and starch  to help strengthen,  and there's even a UV filter to protect your precious tresses against the sun's damaging rays. That's a lot of good stuff, in just one can of hair product, but as usual, Redken delivers innovative products packed with results. TIP: I used this product and also Redken Glass O1 to add texture and volume, and also beat the frizzies and add shine. I didn't do anything special, other than blow dry my usually challenging hair, but the combo worked so well that I kept getting comments on how great my hair looked. "It's not me, it's Redken," I had to say! 

FOR THE GUYS:

FOUNDATION AND BLUSH:

There's never anything ordinary about anything from NARS. The colors are always modern, the products, cutting edge. The Highlighting Blush Powder $25.00 in "Albatross" from the NARS Holiday 2006 palette gives skin a luminous, golden glow that is both pearle and shimmer to reflect light in the most appealing way. This shimmery, golden powder is much more than just a highlighter. You can't really tell from the photo, but It is more pearled, and more opaque than just any shimmery powder, We used it to accent the tops of our cheekbones, and dusted it (lightly) over our entire face for a party look. Some reviewers were even inspired to apply it to their lips, coating them afterwards with a clear, lip gloss. infused with glitter (see our LIPS section for a fantastic one new from NARS). This makes your lips look startlingly gilded, but in a glam way.  Of course, used as a highlighter (as it is mainly intended) you'll get a gorgeous result, too!

This is the time of year, when the last of your "sun-kissed" glow has faded. Now what? Blush, to the rescue!  Nothing perks up a pale or faded complexion quicker than a hit of blush, in a flattering color. A powder Blush-On $18.00 by FACE Stockholm from their holiday, 2006 collection is  universally flattering, and aptly named "Universal." This gorgeous, warm rosed-nude, can be layered for just a little bit of color, or a more dramatic look for evening, and deeper complexions. The powder is soft and goes on with a believable, smooth flush. You can also count on it staying true to color and long lasting--just great!  The round, mirrored, shiny silver compact with FACE Stockholm logo make it a true, dressing table or makeup bag accessory. This might be the only blush you need, this season! 

BeautiControl's Fall limited edition collection is a at rue gem, called: "Oceana." What better way to end the Summer than with a Fall collection, reminiscent of the luxurious of the sea! We like the nicely sized Powder Blush $13.5/each with brush applicators that have nice, generously sized bristles. "Beach Bunnie" is a rusted tan that is sheer but layerable, so you can also dust it lightly as a bronzer, or pinch-hit as contour. "Hula" is my favorite, a light, peachy-pink that works on most every complexion, and also universally flattering is "Mermaid," a slightly deeper version with a bit more peach. For deeper and cooler complexions, "Bon Voyage" is a very deep, cool rose that will make a tan, sizzle. The colors go on smoothly, stay true to color, and will be favorites, once you give them a try. 

Victoria's Secret Beauty has a Mosaic Blush $18.00 and it's no secret we know you'll want to try them. Five sexy and sheer shades work together to create the perfect, believable, blush. They look so pretty, nestled together in four slim rectangles swirling around a little square of deeper color. Sweep a soft brush over them all, and watch the colors meld into peach, pink, nude--five color combos to suit warm and cool skin tones. You can use them solo, too, for highlight, contouring and blush. The Very Sexy Makeup collection is used at the famed, Victoria's Secret fashion shows...so unleash your inner supermodel!  We tried "Afterglow," a subtle skin brightener that leaves the merest hint of nude blush behind. There is something just so sexy about Victoria's Secret Beauty Very Sexy Makeup...we know they make incredible lingerie, but their beauty products are amazing, at any price and these are within the realm of reason to indulge, often. We will be reviewing more Very Sexy Makeup and holiday gifts in our December column, so don't miss it! 

Lip plumpers are all the rage, pretty much "standard equipment" for women who want sexy, pouty lips and weren't naturally blessed with them. Dior Backstage Makeup Lip Beautyfier $23.50 is two products in one. For starters, it's a nice lip plumper and lip smoother that enhances bare lips and gives a slight (not obnoxious) tingle, but it's also a super-silky lip gloss with a patent-leather shine that looks incredible as is, or worn over another lip product. TIP: slick this on over a deep lip color and watch the transformation --you'll double your sexiness factor, maybe triple it, in an instant. If we had to pick just one gloss to take with us this holiday season, this "double-delight" would be  *Dior Rouge Replenishing Lip Color is already on the market in a staggering, 32 shades and we will be reviewing in our December What Works column, but e think every lipstick can benefit from a companion product--a lip liner. There is some disagreement about lip liners these days...some love them, some don't. We do...especially to polish off a glamorous lip look, and also to keep lipstick or gloss from fading and running into the little lines above and below your lips where you definitely do not want them to go!  As a preview to our December, Dior Rouge Replenishing Lip Color we are suggesting you also stock up on the Automatic Liner $23.00 by Dior.  These are designer-inspired, in modern shades that coordinate with all your newest lipstick and gloss colors. The soft, super-creamy formula lines and defines lips without tugging and pulling, and the long-wearing liner is smudge-resistant and doesn't dry out easily, either. It's a pencil, but it doesn't need a sharpener, so you can line thin or thick with the results you want, every time. There are plenty to choose from, but three of the latest are: "Cocoa Shake" a deep coppery-brown that will work with (not clash) with all your brown lipsticks. "Spicy Pink," a creamy, matte, deep browned-rose, and "Gingerbread" is a soft pink-taupe neutral to use as a base as well as for your nude shades.  These lip liners will spoil you!

The Evolution of Color Collection from Laura Mercier arrived too late for our past columns, but they're fantastic. They feature colors to translate with layering and mixing, into a myriad of day and evening looks. The Evolution of Colour-Lips $28.00 features is a quartet of lip colors in one compact in three shades:  Pink Suede, Brown Suede and Plum Suede. I loved the "Brown Suede" and Pink Suede" palettes, providing natural looking lip colors from light to dark in intensity, some with a bit of shimmer. For the holidays we love  "Plum Suede" with it's creamy, moistly-matte pink, mauve, berry, and deep plum. These are incredible flexible: adjust the tone and the intensity, just by layering and mixing, to suit your personal taste! The colors are long lasting, non-drying, and sophisticated. There's even a  mini-lip brush in the mirrored compact to make application easier. These are just the type of quality products you expect from Laura Mercier, and they don't' disappoint--but they're limited edition--hurry!

Friends of mine that love live balm will be getting sleek and sophisticated versions this year: SoftLips Lip Conditioning Balm $2.09 by SoftLips are slim enough to fit into your new, slim jeans, and they are clear, with just a hint of moist gloss so you can wear them under your favorite color lip products. What's really nice however, is the non-sticky moisturizing formula with SPF 20 (to prevent sun damage). Even better, they're nicely flavored (my fave is "French Vanilla," but there's also cherry, mango, mint, strawberry, unscented, and "Raspberry with Green Tea Extract" (with good-for-your-skin extracts of pomegranate, evening primrose, and green tea. Reviewers loved the soft formula and the way it lasted without caking or feeling heavy. These are so inexpensive you can afford to give the entire collection (and look like a "big shot" on a small-beans, budget). 

Every holiday season, like clockwork, the glam reds and pinks crop up.  This year is no exception. One brilliant red that we think is particularly glamorous is the Lipstick $19.00 in "Röd Matte" by FACE Stockholm, made even more "glam" by the silvery, metal compact ringed with two subtle, black, enamel rings at the base. The lipstick really isn't pure red, it's more like a bright deep rose, which makes it more unique, and more universally flattering. The color is intense, and sexy, but it's not shimmery or glittery, so it can be worn during the day without causing heads to swivel.  Add a slick of lip gloss, perhaps a super-shiny clear infused with tiny bits of holographic, light-reflecting glitter like Nektar $19.00 in "Vitsippa" and you've got the makings for a very festive holiday lip look. TIP: if you aren't comfortable wearing an intense and full coverage lipstick in a deep color, simply dot a little on and smudge it, then add a bit of gloss if you wish. The color will look noticeable, but not overly dramatic. If you really don't wear color but want a festive look, any light-reflecting clear gloss with bits of glitter will give you a party look in an instant.

The holiday season is starting this month, but there's still time to get some of the Stila Fall 2006 collection into your hands before the holidays arrive. The four latest colors of Stila Lip Glaze $20.00 are (my favorite),  Spiced Pumpkin (a shimmery, soft, golden peach), Spiced Cider (a shimmery rosed-mauve), Spiced Ginger (a shimmery, bronzed peach) and  Spiced Maple (a shimmery, golden maple). Whether your color choices lean towards mauve, brown, neutral or peach, you'll find that all of these will be flattering because they're super shiny and sheer, although with a hint more color than the traditional,  Summer-type glosses.  The click-it brush allows you to apply the product with precision, without getting your fingers all goopy, or having to juggle a lip brush. The super-shiny, silky gloss stays put for a surprisingly long time. The flavors? Divine!  Spiced pumpkin, for example, really reminds me of it's namesake pie, but without the calories. Indulge as often as you like!

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Makeup Line debuted on September 19th, but we are still ooh-ing and aahh-ing over the more than 30-high performance formulas and a whopping, 200 shades of makeup. Perfect Lipstick $12.00 (photo) is aptly named. Two dozen shades of silky, seductive, full-coverage color slide on lips like the super-luxe brands, with a hydrating and conditioning blend of Vitamin E, Coconut Oil, and Tiare Flower. There is such a range of shades, it's hard to pick just one or two to suggest, but I personally like "Gilt Free," a bright coral that adds a bit of warmth to lips, and compliments Fall's earth tones. Ditto "Slow Burn," a bold, orange-d red that looks glam, but not tacky. We also like the shiny black cases with just a hint of metallic hot pink at the top of the base and "sexy" in the same pink on the cap. The Very Sexy Lip Gloss $12.00 is also a true gem, a great value with gorgeous colors and  "must-have" at any price. Slick on a bit of "Intimate" a sheer, super shiny and shimmery peachy pink, and your lips are ready for holiday air (and contact) kissing or pick one of the other, 19 shades for shine and sheer, sexy lips. Beauty Rush $7.00 is so addictive, we just keep wanting more and more of these super-shiny, fun-to-use,  squeeze tube lip glosses. These slick on for the sexiest lips on the planet, with super-sheer color and high shine, plus a taste treat--scents to swoon over! "Cupquake," for example, pairs the sheerest, palest pink gloss with a healthy dose of pink shimmer and the taste and scent of cupcakes. Dieters will thank Victoria's Secret each time they apply this awesome gloss. I also love "Oatstanding," a sheer berry with red shimmer that smells and tastes like oatmeal cookies! Glitz up any lipstick with "Spice Girl," a sheer golden glitter that tastes like spice cookies. Three other flavors are equally, awesomely, yummy. 

When Maybelline introduced their Superstay Lipcolor $9.99, we were amazed at the quality for under ten clams. The dual-ended wand holds a long wearing, opaque, lip color on one end, and a colorless lip balm to add shine and moisture, on the other. The secret is a special ingredient that actually helps the color "move" with your lips, so it doesn’t crack or flake. Now, there are 10 new tones to tickle your fancy. The new colors, with or without the included balm, are luminous and moist looking (and feeling) but for Fall, Maybelline is introducing a separate enhancement–a Golden Shimmer Balm Topcoat $9.99 that adds a generous dose of super-shiny, shimmery, gold! We love this product alone as a shimmer gloss, or over any Superstay Lipcolor. It adds a sexy, evening-style glam in seconds. For full, moist, trendy lips with color that lasts for hours, my pick of the new collection is "Chili," a rusted brown in a medium shade that lets you enjoy the latest, deep brown trend, without going over-the-top dark, and I also recommend Cinnamon," a browned rose. These look amazing with the Golden Shimmer Balm Topcoat, by the way.. Those who like berries will want to try "Wildberry," a deep rose, and "Orchid," an intense berry with a hit of plum. When it’s time to take it off, get every last bit and condition your lips with Superaway Lipcolor Remover $4.99. Apply the shiny, silky clear remover to your lips, wait a few moments, and wipe away every last bit of long-lasting lip color TIP: this works well to remove pigment from other products as well.

Shiny and silky is how our reviewers described the Lip Color/Gloss Duos $18.00/each by BeautiControl from the limited edition "Oceana" collection. One end of the chunky, dual-ended color wants holds a traditional, moist, lipstick. The other end holds a wanded gloss in a coordinating color. There's something for everyone, with a deep nude  ("Surfer Girl") a rose ("Hey Sailor!), a browned mauve ("Marooned") and a dark pink ("Pink Bikini). These are pure luxury, at an affordable price!

On November 2nd, the Latin GRAMMYs are held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Since Clinique is the cosmetics sponsor, it only make sense that Clinique would create an official Latin GRAMMY look.  Those lucky enough to attend the event will receive a VIP bag with Clinique "must-haves," but the rest of us can still get a limited edition Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick $14.00 called "Coqueta." This gorgeous, shimmery, peachy-gold shade is universally flattering, especially as your tan fades away, and you may be feeling a bit pale. Colour Surge has special waxes, moisturizers and silicone-treated pigments designed to melt at body temperature,  so even though the lipstick is solid in it's bamboo-inspired, silvery tube, when you apply it your lips will get a super-soft and lightweight "buttery" treat!  The color range goes from super sheer to fairly opaque (just in case you can't live with only one). 

There are plenty of clear lip glosses infused with glitter out on the market, but one of the prettiest we've seen is the NARS Lip Gloss $23.00 called "Moon Fleet." The super-silky, super-shiny, clear gloss literally glitters with tiny golden flecks that reflect the light and give your lips a pouty, super-sexy look even without color. Of course you can use it as a top coat as well, but it's so pretty "au natural" we can't bear to let anything else share it's spotlight. This gloss is gorgeous... You'll agree with us when you see it that it's a definite "must have" for the holidays. 

Looking for a luxurious, glam lipstick to wear now through the holidays. We loved the new,  Shiseido The Makeup Shimmery Lipstick $22.00 that combines the look of a shiny gloss, with luster and long-lasting color. If your lips are less than perfect, you'll lost the way this shimmering lipstick slides over rough lip surfaces to conceal them, and stays out of those tiny, dry, vertical lines you can get when your lips are dry, or as you get older. The shimmery, jewel-like coating on the outside of the lipstick looks exciting, and adds additional light-reflecting "bling" to your lips. This is a high performance lip products that contains a patent pending ultra-reflective oil for a luster, plus long wear, and something called "hydroxyapatite" which helps to conceal the things on your not-always-so-smooth lips, to make the lipstick look luscious, anyway.  For a berry, lovely look (pun intended) try "#8 Rouge Irisé" a sheer and moist berry that simply shimmers on your lips. You'll feel gorgeous.

ALL ABOUT FACE:

Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields look like they belong in fashion, perhaps, as models, but they're board certified dermatologists!  The women met in medical school, and joined together to create a line you've probably seen advertised:   ProActiv. They have also created another, excellent line that bears their names: Rodan & Fields.  This is the line we are focusing on--and it's worth your time to check it out. There are five different regimens in Rodan & Fields: Soothe (sensitive skin and facial redness), Reverse (photo aging, fine line, age spots), Anti-Age (combat wrinkles, collagen loss, surface damage), Unblemish (anti-acne) and there are also Essentials (a more gentle version of Reverse and Unblemish products). .Each is a complete skin care system to use ideally, together (or individually, or you can mix and match if you need to from each regimen). What I really like about all of these products is, of course, their effectiveness (they were designed by doctors, after all),  the ease of use (there are just a few products in each regimen so you don't go crazy dealing with them to get results) and the packaging (simple, white jars with bold, color-coded graphics that appeal to men as well as women). Purchase an entire Regimen $135.00 and get yours in a cute, paper "lunch sack" with a listing of all the product ingredients and the directions printed on the back. We tried "Soothe Regimen (60-day supply of 4 products: Soothing Facial Cleanser, Soothing Facial Cream,  a zinc-based UVA/UVB sunscreen SPF 15, and a Soothing Lotion with 1% Hydrocortisone. We liked the gentle but effective formulas, that soothed, smoothed, and calmed skin, with visible results in just a few applications. If your skin is sensitive, prone to redness, or simply, irritated, you can use products from Soothe with any other Rodan & Fields regimen you want--they are flexible! TIP: I used the Soothing Lotion on a huge bug bite that was driving me absolutely crazy while I was writing this review. It stopped the itch and soothed the red, right away! If it can do that for a bite, imagine what I can do for your face! 

A gentle cleanser is a good way to jump-start a skin care routine. We like the Cleansing Gel with Avocado & Grapefruit $18.00 by Ashley Archer. This nice and natural cleanser lathers well, and not only effectively and gently cleans your face, it pinch-hits as a body wash and shampoo, too. We liked the amber-colored glass bottle with pump top (although the oz. seems to be missing from the label, we estimate it holds about 4 oz.). Also nice is the slightly spicy, but subtle, aromatherapy scent. Good-for-your-skin ingredients are good for all skin types and include: aloe gel, coconut oil, avocado oil, and Vitamins A & C plus essential oils of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, orange and Chamomile (among other things).  This is a luxe cleanser at a reasonable price, and since a little goes a long way,  one bottle should  get you through the holidays and into the new year. 

BABOR’s Holiday Gift $30.00 is festively- packaged in a silvery box with a stenciled gold rose, pretty enough to just ad a bow.  Inside, there are three products that give you everything you need for an effective, mini-facial, at home. Perk up your complexion with BABOR’s signature cleansers Hy-Öl and Photoactive Base; Effect fluid ampoule with cucumber extract (Babor's answer to Botox®); and Mimical Control (with an innovative peptide compound that coats nerve endings to inhibit expression line formation). See review  of Mimical Control in our Winter 2005 column. Give this to someone (or yourself) that is serious about skincare to get them started on better skin in 2007 (it's just around the corner)!

Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips and Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips $5.99/8 strips. has advanced, again. These strips that seem to magically pull the dirt and impurities from your pores have been reformulated to bond even better to the dirt and oil in every pore, and (when you pull off the strip)  while tea tree oil, menthol, and witch hazel all work to clean below the surface to keep your complexion looking clean and fresh. These strips are so easy to use, they will become a "must-have" part of your beauty routine, especially before a big night out. Simply wash your face, apply the strip to your (damp) nose, let it dry for 10-15 minutes, and gently lift off the strip. The little "hairs" you see growing out of the strip are dirt and oil that was embedded in your skin. For more "quick and easy" try Biore Daily Deep Pore Cleansing Cloths $5.99/30 clothes. A neat little plastic box of pre-moistened clothes cleanse and exfoliate (gently) using fruit extracts of grapefruit and pomegranate, plus citric acid (known for exfoliating properties). Reviewers really liked the ease of these (as well as their effectiveness), especially the packaging, which allows you to take these on an airplane in lie of cleansing liquids. We also like them for portability in car or gym bag.

I remember pHisohex and pHisoderm from my teenage years, when dermatologists recommended these products to keep acne away.  I'd forgotten about these brands, until a new contact sent me products from the updated pHisodern skincare line, targeted not to teens, but to women ages 20-30.  These products, nicely packaged in light green, offer gentle cleansing food for all skin types, with an eye to maintaining the pH balance of your skin. Our reviewers tried two cleansers. The Nurturing Facial Polish $5.69 5 oz gently cleanses and exfoliates skin with non-abrasive microbeads. Even reviewers with sensitive skin felt comfortable using this floral-scented creamy product that isn't drying, and has vitamins C, A and E (to promote collagen formation) and make skin look soft and healthy. High marks were also given to the Skin Cleansing Bar $2.38 3.3 oz not just because of it's bargain price, but because it cleanses thoroughly, but pleasantly, without harsh ingredients or scented chemicals (a true bonus for those with allergies or sensitive skin). You can use it as a bath and body bar, too.  The company, by the way, has been providing gentle skincare for more than 70 years. What could be better?

No time to get a facial, but your skin really needs one? Budget not quite booming?  If you can spare 15 minutes. you can banish dull, dry skin with a two-step, self-heating, Intense Hydra-Mask $60.00/6 masks by Dr. Dennis Gross's MD Skincare.  We're not going to go into all the techno-speak about what is in it, but we will say that the product uses Hyaluronic Gel and a bunch of good-for-your-skin antioxidants including vitamins and green tea extract,  to plump up the fine lines and wrinkles, and deal with dry areas . This is a two-step process, but it's not hard to deal with. Simply put the first product (the one with the hyaluronic gel) on your face, followed by the self-heating mask that has even more good stuff. Wait. Relax. Recharge. In 15 minutes, massage the mask into your skin and then remove it with a warm towel. Finish with your favorite moisturizer (presumably from MD Skincare). You will see a nice result, and it will cost a less than if you'd gone to the salon for a treatment, so it's economical, too.

BATH & BODY:

Just about now, our skin begins to feel dry and itchy, but a popular remedy for budget-minded fashionistas is St. Ives. Their tried-and-true formulas are dressed up in new packaging...clean, white bottles with blue, white and green labels that look more spa-like than drugstore brand. One project from St. Ives that is new, is their Mineral Therapy Advanced Body Wash $4.99 13.5 oz. This moisturizing body wash cleanses skin with a blend of water from the "ecological unspoiled environment of Switzerland" along with Swiss minerals and other ingredients that create a "moisture magnet" resulting in moisture being retained in the skin for a longer period of time. Who knew a body wash could be so complicated? But the bottom line is that this lightly floral-scented, economical body wash gives you a moisturizing cleanser at a great price...who could ask for anything more? While you're at it, after cleansing pump out a bit of Mineral Therapy Advanced Body Moisturizer $4.99 1.5 oz to help boost your skin's silky feel and keep the "itchies" at bay. Your skin will simply feel soft and pampered.

Beginning this month, a new bunch of Temptations Three-in-One Body Wash $12.00 16. oz will be available at Bath and Body Works. These highly moisturizing and nicely lathering, creamy and shimmery (but rinse clean) cleansers work as a bubble bath, a shampoo and a shower gel! They're also generously sized so you'll enjoy them throughout the holiday season (depending upon how many people are in your household because they'll all want to use them). I personally like "Caramel Popcorn" with notes of vanilla, caramel toffee and melted butter that reminded me of the real thing. "Spicy Gingerbread" combines spices, brown sugar, and candied orange to make you want to get close to anyone who has used it for a sweet sniff!  There is also Pumpkin Pie, Cinnamon Bun, Spiced Apple, Pecan Passion, Twisted Peppermint and Hot Chocolate. We didn't try these, but based on our experience with the two we did try, they'll all be a sensual and tempting, treat. We hope to review more products from Temptations! TIP: for your holiday party, replace the ho-hum hand soap in your dispenser with Temptations...your guests will go wild...with delight!

How could we not love a collection by BeautiControl called "Luxuries of the Sea"? First, there's the pretty, deep sea green packaging. And, at least for me, the green citrus with a hint of floral scent reminds me of the ocean, just a bit. There are four products in this collection, and all are formulated with natural minerals and marine ingredients, another reason to love them. My favorite is the Ocean Bath $30.00 8.f fl. oz. I love the "apothecary style" sea green plastic bottle, which men will love, too. The deep sea green gel has dead sea salts, natural minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that help cleanse away impurities, while leaving your skin refreshed and moisturized. I also like the Moisture Wrap Body Conditioner $30.00 7.f fl. oz in a tote-able tube. Antioxidants and marine ingredients work with the humidity and warmth of your shower, to provide moisture to your skin. The Advice Sisters have tried a number of in-the-shower moisturizer, and this one gets an "A" for going on light, rinsing clean, and doing a good job at softening your skin. Fango Seaweed Scrub/Masque $35.00 9.5 oz looks like pea-green play dough in it's deep sea-green plastic jar, but don't be fooled!  Apply a thin layer to your face, leave it for 15 minutes, and gently massage it off in the shower or bath.  If you want to use this as a body exfoliator, simply massage it on, and feel the natural volcanic pumice working efficiently to exfoliate all those dry, dead skin cells. For even more moisturizing benefits (something you'll increasingly need as the weather changes) and to soothe your skin if you've irritated your skin in any way, the Skin Balm With Nutrispheres $45.00 7.5 oz has amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and little blue and purple "beads" suspended in a soothing, clear gel (really pretty to look at--and it feels even better on your skin that dissolve and melt into your skin to help moisturize it. The gel absorbs quickly. This is one you'll be glad you have in the house. What's extra nice about these products is the packaging and the scent is appealing to men as well as women, so if you ever hoped to get your special man to try a skin and body care routine, this may be it!

The Gingerbread Man Suitcase $38.00 by Philosophy is a holiday gift so cute, you may not want to give it away, but you'll have people of all ages on your gift list who would love to receive it. A re-useable, rusty-red, glossy cardboard box with silvery plastic handle clips shut with a silver, metal clip. On the top of the box, underneath the cheerful, gingerbread man sporting a friendly smile and a little red heart on his chest is the saying: "a good man nourishes your body and soul." We think a great gift nourishes your body and soul too, especially if it's this one, from Philosophy.  Inside the box are three body products packaged with the same color and graphics and beautifully scented with a delicious, spicy, gingerbread scent. . There's one of my favorite products inside...a  fantastic, 3-in-1 Shower Gel (8 oz.),  a nice, Moisturizing Body Soufflé (.5 oz) and a simply gloriously-scented with gingerbread Lip Gloss to add a shine (and a smile) to your face.  This is certainly a gift set that mother and daughter, sisters, or a couple, are likely to share. When the holidays, and the excellent Philosophy products are gone, the box will be a reminder of your gift, storing everything from makeup to hair clips, to jewelry to business cards. *watch for more Philosophy gifts in our December column, next month. 

The Healing Garden Organics Wild Honey Gift Set $12.50 is not only a great value, with a generously sized bottle of Wild Honey Body Lotion (8 fl. oz) but also one of Wild Honey Body Mist (6 oz) in a nice, pump spray. This set is also nicely boxed for gift-giving, in a "honey"-colored box with "bee-inspired" graphics, and a plastic, blister pak front so you can see the amber-colored plastic bottles (with similar, honey-inspired) labels inside. The Body Lotion is a replenishing moisturizer with organic sunflower oil, rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids... and it's 85% organic.  The Body Mist is features organic aloe vera (to nourish and soothe your skin). The scent of wild honey is a nice touch. Actually, I'm not sure what wild honey really smells like, but these honey-scented products will appeal to both men and women, and even the younger set. This is a thoughtful gift for everyone from your holiday hostess, to anyone you want to give a special, but inexpensive, gift. They're so nice, you'll want to get one for yourself, too.

Not Soap, Radio, has lots of fun bath & body products. One that you can "personalize" for your recipients is Not Soap, Radio's Say It With Suds Bubble Bath and Shower Gels $10-$12.00. A plastic bottle holds 10.2 fl. oz of all natural, shea-nut-oil enriched bath and shower gel/bubble bath. What makes this unique is the 18 sayings that say either "You're the Best (mom, grandma, hostesses.) or  You're the Greatest (dad, teacher, friend, etc.). The scent is slightly spicy, clean and unisex. What a cute way to give someone a compliment and a great gift all in one!  For added moisture, add  I'm Not Here, I'm Really.... Just Glow $18.00 4.1 fl. oz to remind your recipient of a luxe escape and help him or her have silky-soft skin even during the drying winter months. This dry oil has a cucumber and jojoba, blend  that absorbs fast and really works hard to (instantly) hydrate, silken and perfume your body. Drive away that itchy, dry skin, and guess what? You can also use it as a room or linen spray! Choose from three scents I'm not here, I'm really "At The Spa," (lavender and apricot), "Walking the Red Carpet (red currant blossom blend), or "Lounging Poolside at a Beachfront Resort (vanilla, coconut, pineapple and hibiscus).  

Kneipp Herbal Bath Oils are 100% natural bath oils, gentle on the skin, bathtub friendly (won’t leave a hard to scrub off mess in your tub), preservative and  alkaline free, and also infused with a dose o