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BEAUTY HELPERS:

  Good brushes are essential to good makeup application, but if you travel often or like to take your brush tools with you for touch-ups, you don't want to carry around a full sized set or a bag of brushes. A perfect solution from Cat Cosmetics is the Open Sesameow Brush Set $65.00.  A compact (3" X 5" X 1") black case opens to reveal nine, high-quality brushes, 7 of them already standing to attention. And, you get an adorable, drawstring, leopard-printed Cat Cosmetics Kit'n Carry All Bag $15.00 that is way too cute to leave at home, free with your brush kit purchase. The brushes are small, but well shaped, with black handle. You get: sable liner, dry liner, smoker, precision, crease & blending, a nylon spooley, a super Euro goat blush & powder Brush.  If you want a full set of brush essentials, this is a great investment and a joy to use.

If you have just taken out your heavier clothes, and they smell a bit...well...like they've been living in a cave for the last year, freshen them up immediately with a spritz of Fabric Fresh 2 oz.  $12.00 8 fl. oz, $5.00 2 fl. oz  by The Laundress. This clever deodorizer is anti-bacterial and removes odors fast, from anything from your sneakers, to that funky settee you've just inherited!  Ours arrived in the "Classic" scent, combining yang, citrus, sandalwood and musk, but there's also cedar, and "Lady"   (citrus and green herbal notes) and "Baby" (vanilla must, lavender, and bergamot) to make everything smell nice. TIP: The 2 oz size is great for travel--for airplane seats to hotel sheets.

Good tools are essential for a good result, and that's especially true when it comes to brushes. Creative Hair Tools makes brushes that have found their way into some of the nation's top salons, including Bumble & Bumble and they have an extensive collection of hair brushes to meet every type of styling need. We like the Round, Boar Bristle Brush designed with 100% boar bristle, and a nicely shaped wooden handle that has a soft, fabric grip for easy use. The brush really helps to smooth the frizz and kinks right out of hair, even those of us with "challenging" tresses. It made our hair shiny, soft and smooth. You may think you don't really need a new brush, but when you see how much better your hair looks and holds the style you want, you'll understand why great brushes are a joy to use, and a must-have.  The Small Birchwood Paddle brush $10.95 (there is a larger version for $14.90) looks substantial and rigid, but the pin bristles are attached to flexible padding that actually adjusts to the contours of the scalp. The wooden handle is smooth and pleasing to hold, and the brush detangles hair gently and effectively, giving your scalp a bit of a massaging action as it works. Our hair looked somehow, shinier and definitely, soft and smooth. Watch for our review of the Creative Hair Tools Handmade Comb in our November column. 

COOL COLLECTIONS:

We love face-in-a-case kits, not just because they make color-coordinating a look, so easy, but also because they're so portable. When you get the option to customize a compact, however, it's even nicer. That's only one of the reasons we are in love with the Large Refillable Custom Compact $6.50 by Prescriptives. Inside a slim, lightweight, rectangular, mirrored compact with silver top you have the choice of adding individual products for eyes and face. Choose three Colorscope Cheek Colors $17.50/each, or two Cheek Colors and one Highlighter ($17.50), or six Colorscope Eye Color Singles $14.00/each or a highlighter and two eye shadow singles. Our arrived with a variety of up-to-the-minute, Fall-to-holiday colors:  a rich, dark purple called "Plum," a deep brown called "Malt Sparkle" a sparkling, gold highlighter called "Warm Gold," and a very soft and natural, nearly-nude blush called "Cool Opal."  The colors slide on like silk, stay true, and are long lasting. Use the tip of a pen (or a paperclip) and pop out one color, add another, as you wish. With virtually dozens of colors to individualize your personal palette, the hardest thing will be deciding which to put in the compact!

A FINE FOUNDATION:

By now, your tan may be fading, and the days are getting shorter and perhaps, a bit chilly, but you can still brighten up your complexion, every day, with Fantasy Finishing Powder $21.50 by Playboy Beauty. Normally, I shy away from bronzing powder, but there are four different duos, each complimentary light and dark colors to flatter just about every skin tone. The powders are sheer and silky, and the included mini bronzer brush is good enough to apply the powder evenly and effectively. Although the product literature bills this as light-to-medium coverage to be worn with or without foundation, I found the glowing, light-reflecting minerals pigment sheer and layerable enough to be a blush, an all-over color, and an accent. The hot pink case with metallic, bunny logo and interior mirror inscribed with "Playboy" in block letters, makes it cute to carry around, too.

We didn't get the new and exciting foundation that Giorgio Armani debuted in September's column, but it's just October.  Run  to get this fabulous new foundation,  because it will work like magic to transform so-so skin into flawless skin. Designer Foundation  $65.00 is a full coverage, cream foundation with SPF 20. It has a ingredients that drape your face with color, as if it was being covered by a silky, second skin. The foundation doesn't scrimp on the good-for-your aspects, either. Glycerin and other super-moisturizers, plus Vitamin E, moisturize well and protect again the sun's damaging rays, and free radicals. You'd think this type of foundation might be greasy, or mask-like, but that's the amazing thing about Designer Foundation--it's just lightweight, non-greasy, and seriously long lasting. Amazingly, your complexion will look as if you were born with that flawless, lit-from skin (and there are 12 colors from light to deep, to choose from) We cannot describe just how Armani managed this (could be their new, "micro-fil" technology,  or why our complexion literally turned heads when we "test-drove" it in public, but that's the effect a superb quality product can have. You'll do best applying this with a sponge or brush (if you use your fingertips, be sure to blend especially well).  We also like the Luminous Silk Foundation Travel Collection $85.00 (Photo) that pairs a mini blender brush and a .05 pump bottle of foundation in a lightweight, black, travel pouch, with a middle pouch to place your favorite lipstick. This superb foundation is flexible, allowing you to apply it with a light touch, or a heavier hand for more coverage. It also manages to be long lasting, covering flaws but not leaving your face dry or cake-y.  Even if you can no longer take your liquid makeup on airplanes, your products will arrive clean and safe in this set. We tried #5, a light ivory, but there are a wide range of light-to-dark colors to choose from and the foundation is good for all skin types. This would make a wonderful holiday gift for a special woman. 

Bobbi Brown's Shimmerbrick $38.00 is an instant sell-out, the minute she creates a new color combo. The reason is the versatility and sexy glow that this product creates, giving instant life to your face. New and bound to be a "wow" throughout the rest of 2006, is the new, "GOLD" Shimmerbrick. Five subtle and soft, luxurious, super-pearlized bands of gilded powder are brought together in one, eye-catching square compact. In the "Gold" Shimmerbrick you get everything from an awesome, icy white, to rose,  taupe, champagne and of course, gold. The effect is shimmery, but still, somehow, natural enough to use in the daytime. Sweep your brush over all the colors and lightly dust all over your face (or just on cheekbones) for a glowing bit of glitz that is the stuff fashionistas dream of. You can also use each color individually (or blend two, three or four) to use on lids, lips, or as a highlighter. Rush to get yours, before they're all sold out! TIP: to get the subtle, shimmery result you want, you'll need a good brush. We suggest Bobbi Brown's own Face Blender Brush $30.00 A perfectly shaped head of soft, white bristles makes this a perfect, multi-purpose brush, ideal for applying a Shimmer Brick, or for use with any powder, blush, or bronzing powder. The short, wooden handle is easy to hold, but still petite enough to fit your makeup bag or for travel.   It's a great investment.

In the days before plastics took hold, genuine metal compacts, often re-fill able, were a must-have for fashionable women. That's one of the reasons I adore The Face Gloss $40.00 from the Amber Nude collection by Tom Ford for Estee Lauder. A substantial, round, ridged, gold, mirrored compact has a slim, rectangular amber "stone" on the clasp, making you feel like a princess when you make up. Inside is a face gloss with actual 24-karat gold, to highlight cheeks and cheekbones, add an all-over glow, and also work as a sheer gloss on eyes, and lips. We tried a rosed-warm nude sheer called "Polished Amber" that gave definition to our cheekbones, and a sophisticated but subtle glow to our complexion. Equally pleasing was the light, glow-y, golden beige it tinted our eyelids and lips. Even though the presentation is so luxe, you may like to know that it's a good value.  If you're pressed for space in your evening bag (or time in your day), this triple-duty all-in-one product will give you the fashionable look you long for, in seconds. "Amber Nude" is a lighter, more beige-y version to try, too.

The limited edition Fall In Love Cheek Duo $30.00 by Stila coordinates with the limited edition  Fall In Love Eye Trios $30.00/each (see review in our EYES section). If you read this column regularly, you know that I adore anything by Stila, not just because the colors are so wearable, so trendy, and such good quality, but also because Stila has a knack for packaging, with a new cosmetics presentation every season. This seasonal presentation features round, faux metallic leather compacts with interior mirrors. The Stila logo---and a few Fall leaves---are embossed on the outside. They somehow remind me of old-time movie canisters, but the trendy colors within are anything but old hat. This pressed powder contouring and defining cheek color blush duo gives you all you need to create an ins-synch-with-the-season blush look, in one compact, with a warm, peachy blush and a soft peach highlighter. You can apply each shade alone, or add a bit of the darker shade on your cheekbones, the lighter shade on top (blend together well). The sheer but layerable colors replace the deep bronzers of months' past, but still add a warm glow to your complexion. To finish your perfect Autumn palette, you will also want Stila's latest colors of Lip Glaze $20.00. See our review of the fab four newest in our November, 2006 What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review next month. 

Is your Summer bronze gone, but you long for a sun-kissed look once more? Get it in an instant, by applying a dusting of MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish $24.00 in one of three, glowing shades from the A Muse collection. I particularly like "shooting Star," a soft caramel dusted with gold that deepens your complexion just a teeny bit with sheer, soft, tan and a wash of golden glow. Applied with a large, soft brush all over, you’ll look better than if you sunbathed at the beach, without the skin damage. There’s also "Shimpagne," a beige shimmer with coppery sparkle, and "Porcelaine Pink," a soft, pinked-coral with gold highlights that looks great on deeper skin as well as on ivory gals. MAC Powder Blush $17.50 in "Taupe," a soft, warm, matte beige, is a multi-tasking powder that works as light bronzer (use sparingly, diffused with a large, soft brush) or as it was intended, as a blush/contour. It looks very flat and deep beige, but it adds a surprising glow to cheeks of any complexion. Try it and you’ll see–it’s amazing!

Don't like foundation? Don't like sun screen?   Tinted Love $24.00 by Cat Cosmetics does a bit of both, evening our your skin tone just a little, although it is barely imperceptible on your skin. And, if moisturizes while it protects your skin with SPF 15 , but it's so lightweight you will never feel like you're "wearing" something.   We don't know how they did it, but we really the results we see from this little "pot-au-crème" that quickly smoothes fine lines and leaves skin with a semi-matte finish that really lasts. You can use it as a makeup primer, too, even if your skin is oily. You can't help but love it.

New to our What Works reviews is Ashley Archer Cosmetics. This is an all natural, handcrafted skincare line that uses organic ingredients and essential oils and extracts, making the line suitable for all skin types (even though with sensitive skin). We like the fact that the products are free of chemicals, fillers, dyes and other things that can irritate the skin. Now that Fall is in full swing, you are probably looking for a new foundation that will work with the tone and condition your skin is in, right now. The Loose Foundation $24.00 in a shaker jar comes in 15 shades in warm, cool and neutral tones, and has a broad spectrum sun protection of SPF 20 (nice!). The powder goes on smoothly and sheer, so you look polished, but not overly "made up." You can also mix the loose powder with moisturizer if you'd like a creamy version...it's like two in one!  There's also a Pressed Powder Compact $51.00 in a nice, matte, black, mirrored version that gives more coverage. It may be a bit pricey, but if you have sensitive skin, rosacea, acne, or allergies, this non-comedogenic, oil-free, SPF-protection power is a true must-have. TIP: Use a large, soft, powder brush to apply pressed and loose foundation for more even coverage, effortlessly. 

A foundation primer gives your foundation a nicer canvas to adhere to. Bodygraphy's Veil Foundation Primer $25.00 is a nearly weightless way to give your skin that much-needed first step. It glides over your skin to fill in fine lines, smooth over wrinkles, and help your foundation to look better and last longer. We like the lightweight formula and the lightweight pump bottle in plastic, too. Bodyography has several in unusual colors such as purple and green (to color correct skin tone) but two new ones (from the Elements of Paradise collection) that tan fans are sure to want are "Monaco Matte" and "Tahitian Glow." you can wear these to add just a hint of tint to your face, or use them as a primer for a bronzing gel or powder...the result will be all you've dreamed about. 

This Summer we reviewed Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Foundation $12.15. Normally, we don't re-review a product so quickly, but the handy, loose-powder-in-a-brush applicator, the mineral powder that is free of talc, oil, and fragrance that makes it ideal for sensitive skin, and the sheer, natural coverage that simply sweeps away shine, makes it a must-have for Fall. There are three colors and a bronzer, sheer enough so you can really wear them all. This little helper is easy, inexpensive, impressive, and effective.

Modern foundations make it so easy to look good as well as protect and nourish your skin. A new one we like is Instant Age Rewind Cream Foundation $9.00 by Maybelline. The pump top, delivers a clean dose of foundation without having to dip your fingers in the bottle. But it’s what is inside that is truly an innovation: the creamy, full coverage foundation that goes on smoothly and looks very creamy. The all-day hydration and other ingredients that help minimize the signs of aging, make it a virtual beauty boost in a bottle. The formula also features ultra-fine micro pearls to help brighten your complexion and make it look more radiant, more youthful in an instant. For me, one of the best bennies is that is also protects your skin with a decent SPF 18, so you can help protect your skin while you visibly enhance it. This foundation covers well, but it won’t clog pores and it is good for all skin types. There are a dozen warm and cool shades, from Ivory on the lightest end, Caramel and Cocoa on the deepest side, to suit a huge range of skin tones. A must-have for anyone who cares about beauty and skin care, budget-minded or not.

LIP LOOKS:

We're always talking about how your skin is a canvas, and it needs to be "primed" for best results. Lips are no different. Before you apply that great color, slick on that sexy gloss, exfoliating away dead flakes and dull spots helps the products you apply to look smoother, and last longer.  One of the cleverest lip helpers we've found is FRxition Sugar Exfoliator & Lip Balm Duo $11.00 by Tarte. The very effective, lipstick-style treatment is totally portable--one side of the tube provides a lip scuff to gently exfoliate, while the other side of the tube contains a lightly vanilla-a scented silky lip balm to protect and moisturize, whether you apply color or not. And we love the packaging! The soft lilac-colored metallic compact not only houses the double-sided product, the little clasp holds closed a mirror, that pops open for your use when the tube is pulled open! That's a lot to love, especially for the price. Another clever and effective product to help your lips look their best, longer is Seal The Deal $18.00. One side of this slim wanded tube holds a lip sealant you apply with the brush top to prevent your lipstick from bleeding and settling into fine lines and cracks (it helps keep your color lasting longer, too) and the other has a clear, hydrating, and very shiny gloss that feels like silk and does wonders for your lips. Thanks, Tarte!

Plums and berries are ripe (pun intended) for Fall, but earth-toned themes are classic, and always popular because they flatter literally, everyone.  That's definitely true for not just the lipsticks, but the entire Amber Nude collection for Fall 2006 by Tom Ford for Estee Lauder. If you're seeking a new Lipstick $35.00 a long for a change from all the dark tones, the Amber Nude collection's subtle shades of nude and amber are tinged with rose  and housed in shiny, squared-off-and-ridged, gold  cases with a square,  amber "stone" on the top. . My favorite is  also one of the deeper shades: "Spiced Amber." There is enough color intensity so that it tints lips a lovely beige-y rose without that washed-out "egg-y" look that often occurs with pale colors. The result is a lip look that is almost natural, but obviously much more sophisticated than bare. The Lip Polish $35.00 leaves lips soft and lightly coated with a no-shimmer, moist look. We liked  "Amber Buff," to cover lips with a light beige that leaves lips looking soft, with  just a slight shine. There are six shades in total in the new Amber Nude collection to layer and love through December, when these limited editions,  are gone.

I removed the protective seal from the Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss $6.99 in "Dizzy," a peachy-pink with holographic shine (photo), and smoothed it on my lips. This silky, lightly fruit-scented wanded gloss slid on softly, and without any sticky goo. It felt so good with it's moisture-boosting emollients and nurturing botanicals that I applied another coat, and another, and another. Well, I just couldn't resist!  In the mirror I saw lips that couldn't possibly have been mine--plump, soft, super-shimmery, with a holographic shine I thought you only saw under movie lights. I love the look, the feel....it was easy to realize that it's easy to become addicted to a gloss like this. Luckily, there are 14 shades to choose from. Berry fans will like the gold-shimmered "Swizzle," the rasp berried "Razzle," or the berried rose called Spritz." For those who like to go "au natural," Fizz," is a super-sheer light pink that just gives you lips a boost of sex appeal-you can wear them all.

Lip glosses should shine and color lips, but they should also be fun to use. That's why I've taken a shine to Cat Cosmetics Lip Nibblers $16.00. The glosses are silky and shiny, and they're scented with enticing flavors you'll reach for again and again. My favorite, for Fall is  "Whisker Kiss," a shimmery, semi-opaque, strawberry that smells like jam, and feels incredibly silky. For drama, I liked layering this one with "Cha Cha," a caramel-scented, super-pearly bronze that looks particularly eye-catching on it's own (amazing with a tan, right now, too). The girl in me loves "Whatapuss," a shimmery, semi-opaque papaya pink with a scent of peach sherbet.

Lip gloss is the easiest way to add a bit of sexy to otherwise casual makeup. One that's affordable and fun is Shiny-Licious Lip Gloss $5.99 by Maybelline. We like the squeeze tubes with flocked, slant-tipped tops that make application easy, but most of all, we like the lightweight, hydrating, shiny and shimmery glosses that slick on a hint of color and a hint of sweet fragrance, I 10 new great colors and flavors. Two newbies with high shine gloss and shimmer, but just a tad of color, are "Crushed Candy," which looks pink in the tube, but clear on lips, with silver shimmer and a sweet, berry taste. I also like "Raiz’n Dazzle," with the merest hint of mauve and silver shimmer." Those who crave warm tones will like" Coconut Cream," a sheer peach with golden shimmer. Deep in the tube but light on the lips is "banana Pudding," a mauve-y brown and gold shimmer (and a banana taste). Even Deeper is "Jam ‘N Jelly," a deep raspberry.

FACE Stockholm has an amazing array of Lipstick $19.00 colors, but "Raisin," is a rich Bordeaux with a warming touch of brown, that leaves lips with such a sexy glamour that you know it will turn heads. You'll feel like a diva when you apply the lipstick from it's chic, silvery tube. Lips will be ready for your close-up, colored with an opaque and intense, but soft and smooth coat of moist color. The lipstick goes on smoothly, and it won't crack and resists feathering (and important detail when you are wearing very dark colors). Glam it up another notch in the evening,  with a coat of super shiny or gilded lip gloss and you'll wonder how you ever did without it. It will be our secret, and your new, secret weapon!

Last month we introduced you to Playboy Beauty, a novel line of serious and sensual beauty products, for women who want playful, long-wearing, high-performance beauty products at a reasonable price. We were genuinely surprised, and impressed with the wearability of the line, and especially the entertaining packaging and provocative names that make "making up" a pleasure. One product perfect to perk up your attitude is Mood Lip Gloss $18.00. It's a Clear gloss that reacts with the PH of your lips to give you your own, signature, glossy pink pout. The top features a 3 dimensional, iconic, black playboy bunny logo which caught smiles and stares when we applied it in public. The gloss is silky and shiny, but not sticky, and it has a spicy, vanilla-nutmeg scent that is nearly irresistible. "In the Mood" is a clear, red in the tube, "Not in the Mood" is a bright pink, but they both enhance your lips with a sheer, shiny, wash of believable color, or add a bit of extra zip to your regular lipstick.

Lip balms can sometimes be "blah," but you've got to moisturize and protect your lips. We've been dreaming of a lip balm that is inexpensive (we use a lot of lip balm) fun to use, has clever packaging, leaves our lips looking moist and smooth, and of course, protected and nourished. We don't need to look any further than Bonne Bell Vita Gloss Moisture Stick $2.95. This lip balm leaves lips moist, but not too shiny. It slides on softly with six fruity scents. The balm looks just like a wanded gloss, but pull off the black cap and it's actually a swivel up stick (how cute!). The balm has Vitamins A and E to protect and nourish your precious lips. These are a bargain, at any price.VitaGloss20 Lip Gloss $3.95 is the larger, liquid cousin in a substantial, feminine, curvy, wanded tube, full of fruity scent and more shine, but still clear, so you can slick it on over every lip product you own. Those who like these products will also like the generously flavored Vita Gloss A Splash of Color $3.95. The squeeze tube has a slanted tip for clean and easy application, and the silky gloss is infused with Vitamin E and aloe, gorgeous patent leather shine,  a very light lip tint. My favorite is "Sheer Kiwi" but these "jelly-type" glosses are good for your lips, and smell great, too. All of these Bonne Bell lip gloss/balms will make great stocking stuffers around holiday time.

Lips are always a special way to play up your look, and four new (and beautiful) shades of sleek, shiny Lip Colour Tint $19.00 by Clarins will win your heart this season. These are beautiful both inside an out. They're housed in slim, red, metallic, swivel-up compacts, and feature semi-sheer, shimmery, moist-shine colors that feel luxurious on your lips, while coloring them with soft color and subtle but reflective, shine. My favorite is "Red Currant," offering a clear, warm, red, that tints lips with the perfect balance of moist shine and more color than the sheer lip products of Summer, but not as intense as an opaque lip stain. Ditto "Raisin," a seriously deep brown flecked with gold shimmer that looks dramatic on pale complexions, glowing on deep ones. Pretty "Guava," is a shimmery, clear, bright, medium pink that will warm up your entire complexion when wearing brown, gray, black and beige, so fashionable for Fall. On the lighter side, there's "Latte," a medium beige with a bit of warmth to flatter nude tones, camel and any look that requires a lip color that isn't too intense. A nice bonus is the slightly fruity scent  and vitamin-charged formula that makes lips soft and comfortable, even when there's a chill in the air.

Chocolate brown is the new black, this Fall, so it only makes sense that we'll be seeing a lot of brown lipsticks, to coordinate. But that doesn't mean we're going to be wearing dull, drab browns from the 80's. No! No! No!  Bobbi Brown saves us, with a completely modernized collection of limited edition Lip Duos $21.00 that pair a chocolate-oriented shade of lipstick with a light-reflecting, high shine gloss, for layering here are four sets, each in a slim, shiny, black, square, mirrored, Bobbi Brown logo compact. My favorite is "Mauve Lip Color/Golden Caramel Lip Gloss." Although the mauve lip color applies moistly-matte, with a hint of pink, slick on the shiny caramel, and you create a sexy, pinky-brown that oozes sex appeal. I also like the light, "Beige Lip Color/Jelly Shimmer Lip Gloss" because the warm, moistly-matte beige is a perfect nude until you slick on a coat of red rusty-red-flecked-with-gold-shimmer gloss. The beige becomes ignited with color, and adds life to your lips, while still in harmony with your brown and earth-toned fashions...and pretty much everything else you own, too. The two other duos feature a deep, chocolate brown, a medium, warm with a hint of pink-type-brown, and pink-based glosses. TIP: For more definition and a more polish look, first line your lips (and in with the same liner) with a lip liner. The new,  Bobbi Brown Lip Liner $20.00  in "chocolate" slides on like silk, and the  rich, warm brown will pair nicely with all your deep brown, plum and wine lip colors, and help them to stay put.

HAIR HELPERS:

 We reviewed the Pantene Pro-V "Expressions line first in our Spring, 2005 column, but it's been a while and since the sun tends to fade even natural hair colors, we thought this was a perfect time to mention the line as a solution to summer-faded hair, once again Pantene's Pro-V Expression features a customized set of haircare products made specifically for Brunettes,  for Redheads, and for Blondes. These products contain new conditioners that help protect hair against damage by replenishing the moisture barrier lost during the color-treating process, which not only helps hair feel soft and silky, but reduces color fade. Even if your hair is not artificially colored, it will add a bit of brightness back to the color. It isn't a color dye, and the effect is subtle, but enough to add life to dull, faded hair. I tried the one for redheads, but no matter what the hair color, the generously sized Shampoo $6.39 13.5 oz and Conditioner $63.9 13 oz.   left our heads with soft, shiny, swinging, protected hair. That's the honest deal.

I wasn’t able to attend the SunSilk "Coming Out" party in July, hosted by Sex and the City’s Mario Cantone, (the new spokesperson for the line). Luckily, I was able to snag samples of some of the products from SunSilk $3.99 (average retail price), nine, hot, new lines created specifically by Helene Curtis/Unilever to address various hair types and challenges. We all know that nearly no one loves her hair. Those with limp hair long for more volume, those with lots of volume long for slim, straight locks, and no one wants frizz (DO they?). To bring relief for those to those longing for a lift (limp hair) Anti-Flat Shampoo $3.59 12 fl. Oz, Conditioner, $3.59 23 fl. Oz, and Volumizing Creme #$3.59 7 oz pump bottle, bring cheer in bright orange bottles. These feature a light, translucent formula and ingredients including collagen and Vitamin C in the shampoo and conditioner, lightweight polymers in the volumizing creme. Reviewers liked the light, fruity scent featuring water fruits, florals, and a hint of mandarin zest. On the opposite side of the hair spectrum, babes battling big hair (bushy on the bottom, flat on the top) now have De-Poof, in blue-colored bottles. The Shampoo and conditioner ($3.49 each 12 oz bottles) contain jojoba oil to help seal the hair fibers and protect them from expanding. The 24/7 creme treatment works with the shampoo and conditioner to accomplish your goal–a non pouf-y style. The kiwi/watermelon scent with a tinge of green apple makes shampooing and conditioning, a pleasure. We also sampled De-Frizz, in cheerful, bright green bottles designed to give frizzies, the boot, while taming curls. According to the press literature, a whopping 33% of women suffer from frizz or wavy hair. Aloe-E, a plant extract, helps tame the frizz and turn it back into controlled tresses, with a Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.59 12 oz bottles) featuring this ingredient, and a 24/7 Conditioning Creme $3.49 7 oz pump bottle that works with the other two products to silken and tame frizzy hair. We liked the peach and gardenia scent that is light and ladylike. We didn’t try these, but there are also Hydra-TLC (for soft, flowing hair), Straighten Up (for straight, silky hair) and No Major Issues (for the fortunate women whose hair is great as-is, clean, shiny hair is here) products, and two SunSilk collections for Hispanic Hair needs" Anti-Caida to help resist breakage and Anti-Esponja-to tame wild hair. Although all the collections are different, each set of shampoo conditioner and styling products include a 24/7 creme, formulated for each hair type to enhance manageability. The bottom line: these inexpensive products, advertised with a light-hearted campaign called Hairapy (guys give advice to hair-challenged girls) will win fans of all ages.

 BATH AND BODY: 

Recently, I visited the Banyan CitiSPA at 474 West Broadway in Soho, New York (212-388-1288) and was treated to a blissful massage and exfoliating treatment called Botanical Body Polish (90 minutes $150) that combined a great massage with a thorough, but gentle, exfoliating treatment (read about my positive experience at the Bayan CitiSPA on the Advice Sisters Blog). This spa features products from Pevonia Botanica, one of my personal favorites for high-quality, spa-related products. If you aren't close enough to visit the Banyan CitiSPA in New York, you can still treat yourself to a spa treatment at home, with similar products to the ones used by the professionals at the spa, from Pevonia Botanica. One that is great for all skin types and gentle enough even for those with ultra-sensitive skin, is the Silky Skin Body Scrub $26.00 6.8 oz  from the Ligne Nymphea line. This gentle and deep cleansing scrub has a light, fresh, herbal-marine mix scent, and contains Rose Essential Oil, Chamomile, Soapwort, Rosemary and Lemon Essential Oil (as my treatment version did). It eliminates dead cells and impurities , and soften dry and rough areas into submission, gently. To get an super-soft and moisturized body after exfoliation, try Pevonia Botanica's Preserve Body Moisturizer $23.00 6.8 oz also from Ligne Nymphea.This super-smoothing and hydrating body moisturizer has a relaxing floral scent (can't figure out if it's gardenia or rose) and is rich in oils, vitamins and phyto-extracts including: Chamomile, Horsetail, Vitamin E, Vitamin B Complex, Rose Extract and Orris Essential Oil It restores your skin's essential lipids leaving skin soft and hydrated, but it absorbs quickly and leaves nothing but a silky feel, behind.  It also improves your skin's elasticity and is a family-friendly product suitable even for children (they get dry skin, too).  TIP: after exfoliating and moisturizing, follow the spa example and drink a large, cold glass of hydrating water with lemon. Your skin will thank you.

New to our reviews is Honeycat Cosmetics, a fun-loving line of good-for-your-skin products with natural ingredients (never tested on animals, of course) and a flirty, girly cat theme. I just adore cats (I have two at home) and love the pink, black and white graphics with a bit of a retro vibe featuring a black kitty.  The packaging might be lighthearted, but the products are good quality. For instance, I really liked the rose colored Butter Cream Grooming Bar $4.00 chock full of soothing, moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, aloe and sweet almond oil, with a hint of vanilla fragrance. It's a sweet treat you might be tempted to eat, but it'll do a lot more good for your looks used to pamper, cleanse and moisturize your body. The owner of Honeycat Cosmetics, Theresa Spruill, apparently dishes love advice along with the suds and potions but her forte is sexy, and effective bath & body delights. 

It has been a long, long, long time since we reviewed anything from BeautiControl, but we loved their innovative and unique beauty helpers and products, and we're glad to welcome them back to the What Works columns! What's bringing us back is the scent of brown sugar, coconut, and sweet almond, infused into bath & body beautifiers. The Body Scrub $20.00 10 oz. has large sugary crystals to exfoliate, mixed with almond, canola, coconut and safflower seed oils, aloe leaf, and other good-for-your-skin ingredients. Follow with a Body Lotion  $20.00 6.7 fl. oz, also scented with a soft, almond-y fragrance. And, to keep the yummy-ness going, there's even a slim spray bottle of Body Cologne $25.00 1 fl. oz that I guarantee will be borrowed by all your female family members! For those who like to soak, not shower, we recommend the Therapeutic Bath Minerals $20.00 8 oz. to soothe and pamper your skin while you bathe. The soft, green, powder/crystals are good even for sensitive skin. We think the glorious, woodsy-scent with dead sea minerals will appeal to men as well as women, so if you want him to get in the tub with you, lure him with 2 tablespoons in your bath water and have your own "spa night" at home. We get to try lots of products, but we have always been impressed with the uniqueness and high quality of BeautiControl products. In short: we totally dig these! 

ELEGANT EYES:

We are so pleased to re-introduce products from Chanel Beauty back into The Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Reviews!  Mascaras run the gamut from same-old, same-old to cutting edge both in packaging and ingredients. one that is brand, spanking new is Chanel's  Inmitable Mascara Mutli-Dimensionnel $26.50 Open the shiny, black box with gold and white accents, twist the black and gold tube open, and note that the  brush bristles on this are not quite as crowded together as in traditional wands. The brush is a flexible plastic and the head reminds us of a perfectly aligned pine tree, with bristles, branching out to volumize, lengthen, curl, and separate lashes. It does this with amazing speed, curling lashes at it coats them with shiny, intense color. The result is so even and effective, it's hard to imagine you did it in just seconds. There's absolutely none of the clumping,  or "staining" that sometimes happens if you blink before your mascara dries. Brown is the new black in fashion, and I really love Chanel's rich, brown version, but there's also a nice, basic black, along with chic blue or violet. Chanel is not a budget brand, but this new mascara is worth it.  After all, if you are investing time and effort to create beautiful look, shouldn't your mascara be perfect, too?  This new mascara, with it's high-tech brush and high quality product, delivers beautiful results so easily, even a novice will get great results  with Inmitable Mascara by Chanel.

You will fall in love with the Fall In Love Eye Shadow Trios $30.00 by Stila. Inside the faux, metallic compacts are beautiful,  Autumn-inspired colors that are  easy to work with. Each set has a base shadow (to sweep over your entire lid), a crease shade (to add definition) and a liner shade (to define your lash line).  Apply the lightest (base) shade to your entire list, then blend a bit of the medium shade through the crease and onto the lid to the lash line. As a finishing touch, use a flat liner brush, and line upper and lower lashes with the deepest shade, smudging if you wish for a softer line. These limited edition compacts come in "Cedar Grove" (my favorite!) featuring a copper compact with a shimmery, soft cream, copper and mocha. Cool complexions will love the  "Silver Maple" a pewter compact featuring a soft creamy shimmer, a silvery medium grey, and a deep, slate liner (I think this combo would be perfect 60's touch with a mini dress) and "Forest Clove," an olive compact housing a shimmery gold, and shimmery medium and deep tones of olive brown. These are truly, universally flattering. 

Mineral powder products have always been favorites of savvy women who know that natural mineral products are gentle on the skin, but in the past, some lacked staying powder. Not so with Neutrogena Mineral Sheers for Eyes $7.99. They have all the bennies of mineral cosmetics, including a non-irritating formula that is super-safe and great for sensitive eyes, but these are formulated with purified minerals such as mica, and other ingredients that make them crease and fade resistant. Two duos that we think are the epitome of Fall, are: "Stone," a subtle, lavender-lavender paired with a super-light, subdued mauve-pink, and "Shell," a shimmery, rosed-copper paired with a soft peach. Either of these will go perfectly with the traditional tweeds, leathers, and corduroys you'll be wearing. Sliding, semi-clear cases add a chic touch, even for those on a budget. The season's trends are towards minimalism and subdued colors, so these subdued, semi-sheer-but-radiant colors, with an easy-blending, long-lasting formula, will give you the look you want, for a lot less.

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We love tote-able products that multi task. Indelible Wink $22.00 by Tarte is a cleverly-packaged duo, featuring a sponge-tipped eye shadow on top, a liquid liner in a matching shade, on the bottom. You can choose from black or brown that's anything but same-old, same-old. Go classic with a thin line and a hint of shadow, or go all-out with a deeper,sexier,smudged look. SNEAK PEEK:  coming next month to Sephora  is Glitterati $30.00 a limited edition eye set we just can't wait to tell you about!  Housed in a presentation box with clear window is a set for eyes with the chic-est way to carry a mascara we've ever seen: a plum-colored, faux-snakeskin slip-on case. You also get a silver liquid eye-lining stain  (topped with a tiny, silver dice charm) called "Lady Luck," which leaves lids with a starry line of glitter that really stays put, and a silver glitter mascara "Glitterati" that leaves just a touch of twinkle on your lids. The set is adorable and perfectly priced for gift-giving in the coming months, but get yours as soon as it arrives at Sephora..these are going to be a sure sell-out.

Just when you think there's nothing new about eye pencils, Clarins has come up with an Eyeliner Pencil $32.00 with a sharpener built right into the cap, so you'll always have a sharp line. This new, clever liner in "black" can also be used as a smoky shadow, smudged with the sponge tipped end of the pencil. The color goes on without tugging, and it's long lasting and non-runny. Now that's something we all need in our makeup bags.

I love the soft, bendable, ease of application when I apply cream eye shadows, but all too often they tend to look great for just a short while before they start to slide into the crease, where they don't make a great eye look. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Collection $22.00 features a dozen, stay-where-you-put-it shadows in little, clear, glass jars with black caps, that look like little gems all by themselves. The colors are run the gamut from a deep "Black Pearl" to icy white, lighted shimmered "Glacier," to a more subtle "Bone," (a creamy vanilla that I really like because it's so flexible as a base, a neutral lid color, or a highlight). There are Metallics, too. I adore the dramatic" Galaxy," a super-metallic shimmered smoke gray and the glorious, metallic copper called "Burnished." These will help you light up the night (well, at least your eyes). There are also shadows in pink, nude, and even a mint green. Although the colors go on with just a fingertip, or a little, concealer brush, and are easily blendable and layerable for more intensity. The color sets fast with absolutely no greasy feel. Amazingly, it really lasts until you want to remove it (we suggest a makeup remover), even if you rub your eyes a bit. Whether you just like the look and feel of cream shadows, as I do, or you're seeking a long-lasting product, you'll love these! They are also safe for contact lens wearers and fragrance-free. We think you'll fall in love, fast! We think these will be best sellers for a long time.

We love the polished look eye liner gives, but long wearing eyeliner that's easy to apply was just a myth, until new technology helped create longwear liners that last like iron, but have a soft touch. One we really like is the Brush-On Cream Liner $14.50 by Clinique, back by popular demand from it's Holiday debut. This unique liner covers in one stroke, is fast drying, and doesn't smudge--pretty much the characteristics we love in liquid liners, but it doesn't drip or run like a liquid, and the more solid formula means it's easier to control. Choose from five classic shades from Black to  "Deep Brown," the color of silky, dark chocolate. Use the little liner brush that's included, or your own, or just "smudge" the color for a dramatic, smoky lid look, too. TIP:  if you are a novice with eyeliner, If you don’t have a steady hand, instead of attempting one smooth line, draw three dashes along your lash line—inner, middle and outer corner—and then go back and connect the dots

Aveda's color collections are always in step with what's happening in fashion, and the Autumn/Winter limited edition colors are beautifully in tune with what I saw on the runways during Olympus Fashion Week. For example, bold, edgy eye looks with colors that we haven't seen featured for Fall, for a while. One example of cutting-edge fashion drama is are Aveda Petal Essence Eye Duos $15.00. These shimmery, dual pans shadows fit into the Aveda Environmetal Compact, or can be used, solo. "Hollyhock/Freesia features a bold, berried-fuchsia coupled with a bright, shimmery pink with a hint of apricot.   "Lavanette/Indiga" washes lids with a glorious, pale lavender paired with a deep, midnight (think grayed) lavender blue. Even a neophyte can produce a fashion statement easily with these, by layering, or increasing the intensity of application. Those who are looking for a multi-purpose base/highlighter/shadow will love the Eye Accent $14.00 in "Uruku," peachy-pink, sheer shimmer. This little tube of cream to powder shadow slides on sheer and smooth, and dries in a flash (just seconds, actually.  We particularly liked it as a romantic but modern look on it's own, paired only with a generous application of brown (or earthy) Eye Definer $12.00 and several coats of brown or brown/black mascara.

A Muse by M.A.C. Cosmetics reminds us of the Swinging 60's, but with modern touches that make is totally new.  Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos $16.50, for example, combine contrasting, shimmery shadows that can be applied with a light touch, or add more to bring the color up to quite dramatic. These are actually baked on terra-cotta tiles for 24 hours, so that the finished product retains all natural skin benefits and pure color. You can apply these long-lasting colors wet or dry, anywhere you fancy. I love "Illusionary/Burning Ambition." a  soft, super-pearly gold , paired with a deep chocolate brown with gold pearl (seemingly bronze-ier than brown). Wear the gold either on lids, or as a highlight, using the deep brown as a liner and contour, or let the brown color your lids, smudging, with a brush or fingertips to soften. Then, add the gold as a light wash or highlight. Another gorgeous duo: "Bright Side/Gallery Gal" pairs a soft olive green pearl that looks like a soft greened gold, with a gorgeous, slightly warm, champagne frost. These can be applied so many ways, they’ll look great on virtually everyone, for nearly every occasion, depending upon how much you apply, and how–so have fun! Rock the look just a little bit more with Pigment $19.50-- the loose jars of powder are a powerhouse of glam. I adore "Fairylite," a very pale ivory shimmer with opalescent pearl that looks warm and glimmery on eye lids, and completely changes the look of a lip product (try it with a deep lipstick).  "Ruby Red" is a deep magenta with red and yellow pearl, and purple/blue reflection, that can be applied lightly and smudged for a berried look, or heavier, for runway glam. Add a beautiful frame for your lashes and to add polish to your eye look, with a Fluidline Gel Liner $14.50 in a complimentary color. We like trendy "New Weed," a deep khaki with a hint of gold pearl, and "Ostentatious," a deep chocolate brown with hints of both blue and green pearl to keep things interesting! This is a good time to ditch that old mascara and get a new one. Zoomlash $10.00 in "Jet Black," or (from the M.A.C. Untamed "we like Raven Blue," a fascinating, deep blue the color of a night sky). *watch for even  more M.A.C. next month!

NAILS, HANDS & FEET:

Jessica Vartoughian, the woman and the name behind Jessica nail products, brings Hollywood glamour, home, to you. As the Fall season progresses, you'll be reaching for heavier fabrics and deeper colors, even on your nails. From the new "That's Amore" collection, we've picked three colors of new Nail Polish $6.00 that translate the deep, dark nail trend into wearable colors. One I particularly like is "Anything Goes," a deep plum that has a hit of fuchsia and shimmery metallic highlights, making it flattering, even to those with light and warm skintones. Be bold and go dark on nails with "Midday Rendezvous," a dark, berried mauve so deep it nearly seems like bittersweet chocolate, glossed with high shine. Another way to flaunt your fingers and make them a fashionable accessory is by highlighting them a can't miss-it black plum accentuated with super-patent-leather shine called "Midnight Affair." We guarantee that you'll get admiring looks, no matter what!

Save Your Sole is a quartet of foot-pampering products to use now and keep at the ready, come holiday (and high heels) time.  The Sea Sand Foot and Leg Scrub $18.99 5 oz has real sand in it, to seriously exfoliate dead skin from legs and feet (a bit like walking on the beach exfoliates, but with a great, fresh scent). There's also a Warming Seas Shaving Lotion $21.50 5 oz that heats up a bit as you apply it, giving you a  very pleasant, smooth shave. A tin of Rich Sea Salve for Feet $21.50 5 oz. is a "must-have" if you wear heels, hike, or have cracked, dry heels. All three of these are wonderful, effective products, but my favorite is Ebb & Flow Softening Foot Spray $20.00 5 fl. oz. I sprayed this on after being on my feet all day, and got my stinky feet to smell sweet, while feeling the pain, drain 

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When your nail polish arrives in a substantial, beige box with gold lettering, you know you're getting a special treat. That's how the Amber Nude collection Nail Lacquer $25.00 for Fall 2006 by Tom Ford for Estee Lauder, is presented. The beautiful, clear, square "ice-cube" shaped flacon with ridged, gold top, into which a round, amber "stone" is embedded, is reminiscent of a precious item that deserves such a presentation. Inside all of this, however, is what really counts: a beautiful, glossy, one-coat-if-you-wish, Nail Lacquer that positively gleams on your nails like a precious gem. The polish really lasts and retains it's subtle luster for days (mine even lasted through gardening and days of typing). As with all the colors in the Amber Nude collection, this polish looks subtle, but not inconsequential, and the classic, gleaming beige looks sophisticated, ladylike, and perfect for everything you own. 

GOOD PRODUCTS FOR GOOD CAUSES:

The Tree of Life Bracelet $58.00 by AlexandAni, with it's round, gold-filled charm, depicting a tree with lots of branches, is the creation of the lovely and talented Carolyn Rafaelian. She is the designer and creator of  AlexandAni, or one of my favorite, accessory and jewelry lines, `The gold "tree of life" medallion dangles gracefully from a sparkling bangle bracelet that will add life to all your outfits, and shine throughout the Fall and the holiday season. This expandable, gold-filled, wire bracelet, halfway iced with pale pink Swarovski crystals has another purpose too:  $10.00 of every bangle sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society for October, 2006.  The bracelet is limited edition and is available now. These are so delicate, pretty, and festive, women of all ages, from teens to seniors, will want to wear one. If you have a friend or family member who is fighting cancer, this bracelet is a unique way to remind her of your love and friendship, and a talisman she can wear to help her be a survivor. Also buy a bunch (they're beautifully boxed) and save them for your holiday gift list. It's an easy way to give a special gift, and you'll feel even better knowing you're helping to support a good cause.

The Advice Sisters "What Works: Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review columns are created too far in advance for us to have included a notice about Benefit Cosmetic's first nationwide event on August 19th, for Big Brothers Big Sisters (the nation's largest youth mentoring organization). However, you can still support this good cause and enjoy a great product by purchasing  BeneFit's Lip Gloss Big Magic 2 $14.00 in it's specially-designed box. This super- shiny, shimmer  gloss is the sheer pink new sister to Big Magic 1 $14.00, a pretty, muted, non-shimmery nude. You'll also like the light, apricot-lychee scent All net proceeds from the sale of these very special glosses will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Women at Risk (WAR) enhances the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer, through research, education, and support. We love Giella's custom cosmetics. Now, Giella is supporting WAR with a special, refillable, Swarovski crystal swing compact $38.00 that can refilled with any Giella cheek, lip or eye color. Ours arrived with a perfect pink cream to perk up cheeks (and tint lips a pretty blush) called "Hope," but you can get your compact and your colors in a number of combos, with prices for products ranging from $16 to $55.00. The best reason to purchase colors to match the compact is for a great cause: 100% of your purchase price will be donated to WAR. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we want to give you a heads-up about companies that are offering support.  The Estee Lauder Companies will be participating in their 14th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.  That means a dozen Estee Lauder beauty brands including: Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and Bumble, Clinique, Donna Karan, Estée Lauder, Jo Malone, La Mer, Origins, Prescriptives, Tommy Hilfiger Toiletires, and Sean John, are offering specially-designed products are park of their commitment to a "Pink Promise" to raise awareness, support research, and beat breast cancer. The Advice Sisters recommend stocking up now (they'll make great holiday gifts):  Aveda products always win raves from our reviewers, so it's no surprise that we recommend Aveda Hand Relief  $20.00, in limited edition packaging featuring a pink ribbon design, pink flip-top tube, and a reminder: "Have you had your annual breast exam?" This is an herbally-scented product that provides instant, rich moisture to soothe dry, chapped, hands. Humectants, hydrating plant emollients, exfoliating fruit acids, and anti-oxidants are a treat, and provide anti-aging benefits as well as immediate benefits  (great)!. You'll like what Aveda Hand Relief does for your hands! Aveda will contribute $2 per tube, along with a matching $2 company gift in support of its $280,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  TIP: share your tube with other women, or even better, buy those special ladies in your life each one...they'll be reminded to take care of their health as well as their hands, each time they use it. Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness, and it's also a universally flattering, 4-season color choice. Rollerball fragrances make it so easy to apply and carry scent, even in a super-skinny jeans pocket. One of our favorites is Cashmere Mist  by Donna Karan, featuring Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley and bergamot, warmed with Sandalwood for a slightly sweet, slightly scent. Donna Karan Cosmetics will make a donation of $17,500 from the sale of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum Rollerball; $40.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The limited edition eau de Parfum comes in an ivory cashmere pouch with pink embroidery and a special tag.  Origins  Flower Fusion Hydrating Lip Color with Floral Extracts $15.00 in "Tea Rose," a light pink color in a metallic pink case,  reminds us of the medium pink tea roses we covet in Summer. A variety of ingredients including rice wax, bond directly with lips to moisturize and hydrate, while minimizing the appearance of fine lines.  Throughout October, Origins will donate $2.00 of the purchase price for each lip color to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. TIP: We like the Origins lipstick with an overglaze of the new, limited edition, Pure Color Crystal Gloss $20.00 in "Evelyn Pink" by Estée Lauder. This one colors with a hint of pink, and a super-shimmery, light-reflecting shine that makes lips look full and sexy, while pampering them with silky gloss. Estée Lauder will donate $80,000 from the sale of this gloss. For cheeks, Prescriptives Mystick Swivel $25.00 in "Woman" is back in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. This universally flattering, creamy cheek color stick slides on smoothly with a hydrating formula and a stay-put attitude that works for virtually every skin tone. This is a fairly matte, semi-sheer blush, so a little goes a long way. The cool, rose color will look great to perk up a fading tan, on deeper complexions, and to add new life to palefaces. A portion of your purchase of this product will be used by Prescriptives to donate $42,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. You can beautify your hairstyle, and help support breast cancer awareness too, with Bumble and bumble Classic Hairspray $17.00 20 oz in it's eye-catching, pink spray can. Bumble and bumble will donate $1.00 per can from the sale of this hairspray to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is a comb- through product, that can be used with hot irons and other styling devices. Your hair will get serious holding power, thanks to a fine mist that won't dry out your hair or make it stiff. I used this the last few days of Olympus Fashion Week in September, when it rain was falling, and my hair stayed in place, but was still "touchable." This one won raves from all our reviewers! The Breast Cancer Research Foundation supports research at leading medical centers whose research is focused on achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. For more information visit www.bcrfcure.org or call: 1-866-FIND.A.CURE.

Philosophy also supports breast cancer research (it's their  5th year of support) by giving 100% of the gross profit from Shower for the Cure Pink Ribbon Shower Gel $20.00   16 fl. oz to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund (http://www.eifoundation.org) Their mission is to support innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women's cancers.  This  limited edition, creamy, bath, body and hair wash comes in a white bottle with a pink ribbon and an inspirational poem. The creamy white cleanser has an invigorating, clean, slightly fresh, slightly fruity scent and it leaves skin clean and soft. What a great product to buy to pamper yourself, or as gifts, and support a worthy cause at the same time.

Ouidad's Curls for the Cure Initiative originates from their  Deep Treatment Intensive Conditioner 8 fl. oz  package $50.00 including a comb and pink rubber bracelet. Oudidad herself (yes, there is a real person behind the name) successfully fought her own fight against breast cancer. so the company is donating   50% of the purchase price of this deeply moisturizing product up to $100K will help support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation For more information visit www.bcrfcure.org or call: 1-866-FIND.A.CURE.. We like the limited edition bottle with pink ribbon and pink accents, and reviewers with curly hair said theirs was softer and more manageable, after using this deep penetrating treatment. Get this for yourself, or your favorite curlyhead, and do good while looking great!

While I was perusing the goodies at a recent Shecky's Girls Night Out in New York, I met Michelle Ostaseski, creator of a fashion must-have that I never knew existed called The Strapper $6.00 single, $14.00 3 pack. They're pieces of ABS  (non irritating) plastic shaped like a curvy "H" in white, beige, black, red, or with Swarovski crystals at has one job in life: to keep your bra straps from showing when you wear racerback, sleeveless, and cut-away clothes. It's so simple but useful, you'll wonder why someone didn't think of it sooner, but it really works!   Simply loosen your bra straps before putting it on, so when you bring the straps together in back they won't pull or bind. Working behind your neck, hold the strapper like an "H: and weave one of your bra straps around one arm of the strapper, then switch hands and do the same to the other strap, then slide the strapper down your bra straps until it feels comfortable and is out of sight (higher for racer back Ts That's all there is to it (and there are illustrations on the web site). It's easy, it's clever, you can wear it with everything from swimsuits to special occasion gowns, and, if you need yet another reason to get a bunch, you'll be happy to know that partial proceeds of every Strapper sold will be donated to support cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (for more information visit www.mskcc.org )

Don't forget to enter our new contest: THE DEVIL *(AND YOU) WEAR PRADA. Enter and win one of 5 luxurious, valuable, beauty-related prizes from Dior, Z. Bigatti, and BeneFit Cosmetics. 

SKINCARE:

This summer, I attended a product launch for Moisture Intense Guard by Biotherm, a line of high-tech, high-performance products that are extremely effective. In fact, Biotherm  Light! Foundation (with SPF protection) is one of my personal favorites. The product that is launching this month, however, is a skincare product that women of all ages will embrace with great zeal. It's truly amazing: a moisturizer that feels lightweight, but packs a heavy, moisturizing punch. This amazing super-moisturizer has a super-hydrating formula that works like a shield, to reinforce the skin's natural defenses against dehydration and to keep moisture in the skin, where it does a body good. There are several unique ingredients in this product, but the one that captures my imagination and interest the most is not made in the lab--it's Himalayan Pink Salt. We learned about the origins and benefits of this unique salt, in a short film by a talented couple, photojournalist Debra Kellner, and filmmaker- hubby, Eric Valli. Pink salt contains over 70 minerals essential to cell life and that help to boost the skin's natural metabolism and improve it's surface look and feel.  Apart from it's natural and rejuvenating benefits, the pink salt has a beautiful, light pink color that only mother nature could devise. The other two ingredients are not natural, but they are cutting-edge and high-tech:  patented vitresocilla ferment, to help soothe and balance the skin, and a high-tech bio-polymer (inspired by ophthalmic technology) that helps your skin fight moisture loss. The creamy moisturizer isn't pink or salty, and you wouldn't want to put in in your eyes, of course, but it is fantastic for dry skin. The dry heat and chilling cold and wind of Winter is just weeks away... Moisture Intense Guard is what you need to keep your skin protected and soft, all season long.

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Products that are affordable and pleasing to use keep you motivated to stick to a skincare routine. Three new cleansers from Olay Body, each in a differently shaped bottle of aquamarine, teal and blue, are affordable, pleasing to use, and effective.  Hydrate & Cleanse Micro-bead Cleansing Serum 6.7 fl. oz $6.99 comes in a cool, aquamarine blue and teal pump bottle. What makes it great is the emollient cleanser with a slightly melon-y scent, that effectively dissolved even heavy, red lipstick and liner (and other makeup), micro-beads that (gently) massage and cleanse, and a formula that is gentle to the skin's own lipid bilayer (translated, it cleanses without stripping your skin), leaving your face thoroughly cleansed, but soft and pampered. There is also an Antioxidant Lathering Face Wash $6.99 6.0 fl. oz that comes in a flip tote, making it tote-able. It gently lathers away dirt and makeup while it help to moisturize and balance your skin. Night Nourishing Cream Cleanser $6.99 6.7 fl. oz in sloped-top tube with flip top dispenser hydrates up to three hours after you cleanse and while you sleep, while it removes dirt and makeup. We've been using ours during the day as well, to keep our  skin, smooth and hydrated. Reviewers liked these skincare gems. Get all for under $21.00.

FASHION:

Last month we introduced you to fashion designer Esther Nash.  Although she is known for her rock-star/club fashions, she also designs accessories. Now that Fall is in full swing, a bit of bling is a good thing!  Ms. Nash models her Sequined Berets $50.00 (photo #1).  With a nod to disco, these flashy, stretchy chapeaus add a hit of color and sparkle, as a counterpoint to Fall's somber colors (and they are great on a bad hair day, too). They come in an assortment of colors. Try the green one with a camel or brown coat, or the multi-colored one with your eveningwear. They're fun, affordable, and flattering. A one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry is another way to make an instant statement. In photo #2, Ms. Nash holds up a number of her necklace designs (she has earrings and rings, too). I particularly liked the necklaces ($100-$400).  My favorites are in the photo, featuring turquoises, but you'll find semi-precious stones and beads of hand blown glass mixed in eye-catching combos to suit every taste--and each is one-of-a-kind. 

You've just gotten a sexy new bra and you want to show it off, but weird bulges under your T's and blouses is never a good look. The Invisible Look Bra $29.00 by Barely There makes those unsightly bumps and bra lines disappear...with comfort and class! A bra that doesn't fit, or shows under clothes (when that's not the look you're going for) can really put you in a bad mood. I admit, I'm one of those chronic "I love the look so I'll endure the fit" types, but then I'll tug and pull all day, when no one is looking. So I tried the Invisible Look Underwire. Let me say right away that I almost forgot I was wearing anything at all...a good sign. But when I learned that it comes in eight colors (black, white, taupe, pink, maple, blue, and lilac, hydrangea) I knew I'd be getting more than one. All of the Invisible Look bras have thin, flexible cups and all but the wireless version feature a smooth, hidden underwire that helps mold the bra to your body. Although there are no rhinestones or lace to gussy up the bra, that's the entire point--it's smooth and appears seamless under your clothes. And, I love the soft fabric that lets clothes glide over it, gracefully. There are tag-free hooks and eyes, and push-in/out snaps that let you adjust the straps on your bra, without having to turn yourself into a pretzel. Other styles currently available are a front close T-back, a strapless, and a wire free version. Most styles are available in 34-38 and A-D. TIP: Don't just assume a bra will fit. Try before you buy. just likes shoes, not every bra in your size will actually be the right one for you, or even the exact size you need. If it is uncomfortable, it's a waste of your money... you'll never want to wear it.

FOR THE BOYS:

A new, blue-tinted fragrance began showing up on store shelves last month. The labels says "Brut," but this is an entirely new product from the beloved, green-bottled Brut cologne that has been a favorite for generations. Brut Revolution not only looks new and youthful in it's ergonomically-designed,  blue-tinted, sloped-oval bottle, it's also being directed to a youth market of men ages 25-34. Our male reviewers of all ages quickly embraced this light and fresh-smelling man's fragrance that has  top notes of tangy citrus and refreshing cypress, and an undeniably different sexiness created by middle notes of aqueous wood mist mixed with  black pepper and patchouli. The masculine base adds a traditional,  "manly" aspect of musk and earthy moss. The idea behind Brut was to make another classic for (slightly younger) men with a scent that celebrates a modernized classic vision of manliness that's not confusing for the average guy. We think the fragrance will be welcomed by boys to men of all ages, and even though it's priced a bit higher than the original Brut, it's still a bargain, with two sizes of Spray Cologne 1.3 oz $9.99 and 2.5 oz  $19.99 and After Shave 2.5 oz $14.99

We've been systematically reviewing hair care products for Men, primarily from one of our favorite lines, Redken.  Now that the Summer has come to an end, hair tends to be drier than usual, possibly due to exposure to element such as sun and chlorine. Although short-haired men don't worry about split ends as much as women do, dry hair is never a good look. Redken For Men Aquafy $9.99 13.5 fl. oz . is housed in the attractive, steel-gray plastic bottles with black flip caps. It cleanses and moisturizes in one step, thanks to our hair's buddies, glycerin and glocosamine..but the bottom line for guys is that their hair will be conditioned, shiny and healthy-looking...and did we mention soft and touchable, too? Guys and ladies will love the thick, pearly formula and the clean, green, light scent. Finish up with (what else?) FinishUp daily weightless conditioner  $9.95 8.4 fl. oz., good for all hair types. Our guys liked the light, fresh, slightly  herbally scent the way it smoothed away flyways and frizz (yes, men have it, too) without weighing down their style.

About The Works Beauty Reviews:  Products reviews are conducted by Alison Blackman Dunham (aka. Advice Sister Alison). In some instances, the review reflects additional opinions of qualified, anonymous reviewers and the term "we" instead of "I" is used in the commentary.  Nobody gets financial compensation for reviewing products, and they are not affiliated with the companies mentioned.  If you have comments about the column, or if you would like to be considered as a reviewer and can pick up products from the New York area,  Email us at: advicesisters@advicesisters.net.