Go Forward to the Advice Sisters WINTER 2009  Shopping Guide featuring purchasing and information links to every product - shop at home and save time, effort and money!

Before he started Skinn Cosmetics (new to our reviews this column), Dimitri James worked for some of the largest cosmetics companies in the world. Claiming that the companies put their money into advertising and fancy packaging (not necessarily the products), Dimitri decided to offer his products in simple packaging and only through televised home shopping, the internet and exclusive, privately owned spas throughout North America. I tried the Runway Ready Collagen Boost Firming Eye shadows $21.50. Four simple, black and clear compacts with a small, strip mirror contain eight rounds of Italian baked powder eyeshadow. The 32 shades are organized by Cool and Warm, and in “Casual” and “Formal.” The formulas range from slightly perle to high shimmer, some iridescent, some with a hint of glitter. The colors are really gorgeous--almost too pretty to wear (but that's what they're for, of course). There's a paintbox's worth of cool blues, mauves and greys to warm copper, beige, and green, with some avant-garde shades like bright brick and shimmery teal thrown in for fun. The colors blend easily and can be layered. They also stay true to color and won't fade for hours.  The “runway ready” shadows are called “Collagen Boost firming” Eye shadows, but there wasn’t any information about this on the press releases or on the Skinn web site. Whether the shadows boost collagen or not, they are still amazing. The quality was obviously put into the product--and that’s the reason we are loving this line–a true “find."

I met the charming Christopher Drummond at Shecky's Girls Night Out last fall.  Apparently, I had the honor of being the very first person to test out his line as it launched in public at this event!  Mr. Drummond is a makeup artist whose new line of patent pending cosmetic products have been used on models and celebrities, and contain all natural, organic-based and vegan ingredients. His luxurious product line of mineral makeup will appeal to women who want something effective, that also feels special.  I tried the Saúde Pele Radiance Booster $85.00 applied with a Flat Top Brush $19.95, and also the higher coverage  Veludo Velvet Foundation $65.00 that comes in six sheer shades from light to dark, and gives your skin a flawless but natural, finish. I also tried a really great Lip Gloss in a shimmery copper called "Carnival" that made my lips look and feel great.   TIP:  If you want to try a high-end minerals makeup but aren't sure if it's really for you,  Christopher Drummond Beauty offers a Sample $4.99 of his fantastic foundation. Read a full review and see photos on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Cosmeholic Liquid Lipstick $20.00 isn’t just a lipstick or a lip-gloss, but a cross between a liquid lipstick and a lip gloss. You get silky, good-for-your-lips benefits plus long-lasting color and shine. This great gloss/lipcolor is a definite must-have for any busy woman who just doesn’t want to be bothered re-applying and would like something good for her lips, too. Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Rock & Republic is known for trendy clothes and accessories, but the company introduced it's premier makeup collection in the Fall. I just got samples to review, and from what I have experienced from the packaging and the products, it's a luxurious, high-performance line of cosmetics that will make you feel like rock royalty!  I tried the Tinted Primer $46.00. It comes in a striking, black pump dispenser and in four shades.  The silky texture slides on your face so smoothly it will astound you, but while it feels silky, it leaves a nice, matte finish and just a hint of color.  The good-for-your-skin formula has caffeine to  stimulate circulation and wake up your skin.  All of this would be reason enough to use it, but it's also got SPF 20 to help protect you from the sun's damaging rays.  The base is silicone. offering a good anchor for other facial products like powder, blush or bronzer. The deepest shade "Grace" gave us a "tan" without even trying. Perhaps my most fave product this season so far is the Rock & Republic Mousse Blush $28.00 in a clear, glass jar with silver and black logo top.  The sheer blush in five natural colors adds a no-effort glow to cheeks that literally melts into your skin, making it look like you were born beautiful!  The silky mousse formula feels perfectly light, and you can layer more color if you wish.  Get an innocent glow or much more, depending upon your mood.  This impressive blush is all you need.  The finishing touch is a high-wattage shine on your lips, and Rock & Republic delivers it with a superb Lip Gloss $26.00 in 15 shiny but smooth and never sticky,  super-sexy shades.  It offers your lips a heap of moisturizing sheer color that looks and feels sensuously wonderful, but when you add additional layers, you can transform these sheer glosses from subtly and sheer, to a lip look with seriously bold color and shine. I tried "Mistress," a rich rose that gave lips a seriously shimmery pout--layering on a few coats and (and will) change your attitude!  This high end gloss is a bit of a splurge in these economic times, but when you consider how many different looks you can get from just one, it's a great value as well as a little luxury.

Some years ago, The Advice Sisters reviewed a glitter product that we really like, from Girlactik Beauty. The company also has products that shine and glow in more subtle ways. One that really perks up Winter weary skin is Skin Glow $26.00.  The creamy but solid (applied with a sponge puff) product adds a warm, shimmery, light and translucent finish to skin wherever you smooth it on. A little gives a shimmery, peachy glow, but if you layer on a bit more it can turn into a bronzing blush. This is a little secret weapon to make even dry and sallow, or aging skin look much better. This product is not only easy to tote in a handbag because it's solid, the product is easily blended, yet it doesn't have a greasy or heavy feel. Even better, the product has Vitamin E and has a subtle, Jasmine Green Tea fragrance. It's a nice pick-me-up. TIP:  Be careful when applying a shimmer product. Too much looks "faux."

The Advice Sisters generally are fans of Clinique Foundations, not just for their good looks, but for their good-for-your-skin ingredients and SPF protection.  Their SUPERFIT Oil-Free, Long Wear Makeup $19.50 launched last Fall --but I so wish it had been available last Summer, because it stands up to heat, oil, and humidity. The original SUPERFIT Makeup was launched in 1999, and contained a revolutionary technology that included featherlight fibers never before used in the cosmetics industry that wicked away sweat and excess oil from the skin's surface. Today's version of this makeup has a more lightweight feel, but it still lets you be active, and have flawless looking skin.  The revamped formula has two new technologies: an exclusive aerogel technology that enhances the oil absorbing capabilities of this foundation, and a new, lightweight porous film technology that (along with the original fiber technology) helps to trap and wick perspiration so that your skin looks natural and matte (with a cooling effect that I honestly didn't feel, but "cool" is highly subjective).  I never tried the original, just this new and improved "lite" version, but my reviewers and I were amazed at the coverage. It is moderately opaque and it covers every single flaw, but it's not at all heavy or mask-like.  There's a luminescence in it as well, so your skin looks smooth and fine line and wrinkles seem to disappear. The feel is so light you may not remember you have it on.  It stays true to color, even in the heat, and there are 15 shades to choose from. I tried one in the middle/fair range when I'd normally use a lighter shade and yet, it still was sheer enough to blend and look natural. Now you can sweat, and still look super! You'll definitely want this for now if for tropical travel and if your skin tends to be oily, but we all will want this, come the humidity of Spring, and the heat of Summer.

Years ago, The Advice Sisters introduced a unique product line to readers:  La Bella Donna, one of the first mineral-based, allergen free cosmetic collections to treat and protect the skin. Micronized titanium dioxide provides a natural barrier to the sun’s rays in SPF 15 and the products are so gentle to the skin, they're recommended for women who have just had laser or plastic surgery, or who suffer from skin problems. The colors are long lasting, subtle and as sophisticated as their sleek, silvery cases. As with most mineral makeup, the products feel silky and almost weightless on your skin.  There have been additions since the launch in 1994, of course, and when I caught up with the line again at the Spa Magazine Annual Fall event I knew I had to check out what was new.  The Baci Moisturizing Lip Sheer comes in a silvery, click-it pen with brush top. Inside there is a lip color formulated with minerals. The look is soft and natural so you'll get a bit of color, and you'll get a gloss as well.  But this luxe lip product has more than just color going for it.  It's also got great-for-your-lips sodium hyaluronate that will continue to moisturize your lips even after the color is gone.  This, plus all natural organic vitamins, botanicals, and antioxidants, makes this a must-have lip treatment for Winter as well as a beautifier. "Prism" is a peachy pink; "Majestic" is the deepest of the quartet: a shimmery berried rose,  "Seduction,"  is a gorgeous, shimmery, gold-flecked berry, and "Grappa" is a very sheer mauve-ish pink."

Sneak Peek:  A new mascara I'm in love with is the exciting, Bourjois Liner Effect Mascara * at ULTA February 2009 and 2/One now at the Home Shopping Network  This unique mascara is enriched with Kohl, to give your lashes the most intense and sexy look ever. The brush is also unique with long bristles on one side only, the other with tiny bristles. Use the long bristles to draw the mascara on lashes from root to tip for high drama and absolutely NO clumping. Then use the short bristles to deposit the mascara at the very base of the lashes, emphasizing the roots for an amazing "liner" effect. Your eyes will look as though you used a Kohl pencil as well as mascara -- it's a glamorous effect with absolutely no work! This is one of those nifty, "aha!" products that once you try it, you'll reach for it again and again. If you're looking for a way to add interest to you eyes without going too far into the realm of avant-garde, apply eye liner.  We love Bourjois Regard Effet Metalisse Eye Liner $12.50   in five shimmery, metallic-y shades. They're so luxuriously soft they can be blended and used eye shadow as well as a liner. What could be better than that if you're pinching your pennies but still want to be glam?

I've been a big fan of the affordable but effective, Vivid Impact products by Max Factor, featuring rich, bold colors and intense pigments that make you feel like a movie star.  Recently, I tried a new, Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor srp.  $7.99 that gives you a really bold pigment but still feels soft and silky.  What distinguishes this collection of lip colors is the "vivid impact" they make. These are not shy, "sporty" colors, nor are they grey or muddy or watered down.  They're the same type of expensive-looking, sophisticated lip color I see on the runways during Fashion Week at Bryant Park. A nice touch, especially in winter, is the fact that these have shea butter, a super-moisturizer, to keep your lips smooth and soft, as well as well tinted. There are plenty of colors to choose from in mauves, wine/burgundies, pinks, reds, and beige/browns. I tried "Ms. Right," a seriously rich, movie star red that to my surprise, looked sexy, not slutty or crazy! The lipstick stayed put for hours, even when I rubbed my lips a bit, and even better, some of the tint remained even when the lipcolor had worn off. If you want a wears-like-iron, feels-like-luxury lipcolor for less than the cost of lunch, you've just found it!  Max Factor also has a new, 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper srp. $9.99 that was used by makeup artist and P7G Beauty Global Design Director Pat McGrath on the Spring/Summer 2009 runways.  The first thing you notice is that the brush is FAT...I mean, it's really big, with plastic bristles placed close to one another to ensure that every lash gets coated from top to bottom. The mascara's "fat wrap formula" boosts volume. one swipe of the brush, and my lashes already looked longer and thicker.  Two swipes, they looked even better.  I didn't go for three, but I'd be willing to guess you'd get a "faux eyelash" look if you kept going.  This puts pricey lash plumpers to shame!  One version of the mascara can be washed off easily with soap and water, I tried the waterproof version which is best removed with eye makeup remover.  The mascara is hypoallergenic and suitable for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes and comes in black and deeper black, and blackbrown.

Avon Skin So Soft has been a favorite product for years. Now, the company is taking it another step into the future, with “anti-aging products specifically designed for younger looking skin (on your body).  The products feature Avon’s exclusive Age Correcting Complex with antioxidants, Vitamin E and patented “Radiance Technology” all wrapped up in a very soft and light floral fragrance. The product literature we received mentions that users will see younger looking skin in just one week, and noticeable differences in skin tone, texture and pigmentation, plus a  reduction of fine wrinkling and overall photo-damage,  after four weeks. I didn’t test the products long enough to be able to substantiate this claim, but I did use the Skin So Soft Age Defying Body Cleanser $7.00 12 fl. oz several times, and found it to be luxuriously pampering. It felt really soft and soothing on my skin in the shower and washed off cleanly, leaving my skin as soft and moisturized as if I’d used a body oil, with absolutely no residue!  The Skin So Soft Age Defying Renewing Body Moisturizer $10.00 12 fl. oz.  added more creamy moisture that felt so hydrating, I thought it would end up leaving a greasy residue, but it didn't. When it was absorbed (under a minute) my skin felt amazing, and that's all!  A few minutes later the visible results were evident on my skin--it looked smoother and brighter where I had applied the moisturizer,  I didn’t try the Corrective Neck and Chest Corrective Treatment SPF 15 $12.00 or the Overnight Hand Treatment $6.00 but I am sure they are also excellent. Avon has always been a leader in modestly-priced skin care that is amazingly effective. This new line is going to be a new favorite for anyone past their teenage years.

I love islands. They're special places to relax and rejuvenate one’s mind, body and spirit. Elope Island Beauty, new to our reviews this column, has taken some of the scents and ingredients of tropical islands, and created a collection of unique body products with good-enough-to-eat scents.  The Body Milk $24.00 6.8 fl. oz (in a plastic pump bottle) and Body Butter $30.00 8.8 fl. oz (in a white plastic jar with silver top) are available in three different scents: "Syechelles," a citruss-y and uplifting scent (tangerine and pink grapefruit); "Maui," with spicy, exotic ginger Lily and frangipani (very Hawaiian), and my favorite is "Maldives,"  (coconut and dark chocolate). It's like a creamy coco-nutty latte. The fragrances are so great, you’ll want to moisture more often and feel great, doing it. But the formulas soothe, hydrate and moisturize,  with kukui oil, tamanu nut oil, sweet almond oil, passionflower extract and aloe vera leaf extract. The silky smooth body milk simply melts into your skin, leaving it nicely scented and feeling a lot less dress and itchy. The Body Butter is even more emollient, but still non-greasy. It features exotic llipe butter, a hydrating ingredient made from the nut that is the seed of the illipe tree that grows wild in the forest of Borneo.  The Body Butter also has kelp extract , hibiscus extract, beeswax, and vitamin If you want to help your skin with serious skincare that really knows how to pamper, Elope Island Beauty will be your new, favorite choice!

Are you feeling tired? Longing for a spa-night-just-for-one, at home? Aromatherapy Distillations Revitalizing Skin Polishing Ritual $49.50 by Crabtree & Evelyn gives you a reason to order in, and tune out for a change. The set has two parts: a blend of aromatic, exfoliating spices that you blend with rich tropical body butter to suit your personal specifications. Mix a bit of oil and exfoliating spices together in equal parts of more of one, less of the other, to get rid of dry, dead skin cells, and smooth and pamper your body, hands and feet. I liked this set so much I suggested it as a holiday gift idea-read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Body care products absolutely need to be effective, but they should also be pleasurable. For example, the Red Chérie Collection from The Thymes features a scent that is just delicious:  a gorgeous blend of red fruits such as sparkling pomegranate and ripe red cherries mixed with feminine and exotic passion flower and jasmine, with a sensual bit of  Asian lychee and a fruity musk. The overall scent is uplifting and yet serene. It smells like one of my favorite beverages:  a lychee tea bubble drink!   But the products don't just smell wonderful, they are seriously good for your skin.  Organic passion flower extract is prized for its skin-soothing and calming properties;  organic wild cherry extract is rich in minerals and antioxidant properties, nourishing skin with calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C; and Vitamin E protects and moisturizes.  There are 15 different products in this collection. I tried, the Body Cream AHA $32 8 fl. oz.   The rich, fast-absorbing cream silkens quickly--really, awesomely quickly!  My dry skin felt incredibly silky and scented with this great product, and my Winter dry skin woes were left in the cold! I kept feeling my skin because I try lots of products and this one dazzled me. The outside packaging features a box with delicate red and pink lychee design on a soft green and white background, with a "wood grained: top. Inside, the simple, frosted plastic jar featured a beautiful, delicate border of green lychee (or cherry) fronds.  I just tried the Body Cream, but my experience with The Thymes tells me all of the products in the Red Chérie Collection will be equally as good.

Baume Ultra Riche Intensive Nutrition Body Balm $30.00 6.76 fl. oz. by Biotherm is a true balm for "blah" bodies.  The super-thick, super-emollient cream has a light citrus scent, but it is no lightweight when it comes to moisturizing severely dry skin.  This pampering cream has apricot oil and shea butter, but it is also enriched with Rosewood Muscat Oil and Omega 3 & 6.  While you are enjoying smoother, softer, hydrated skin, the product is also doing it's best of encourage cell renewal and actually improve and repair your skin.   It's pretty intensive and leaves a veil of protection...a perfect product for when you really need to bring out the "big guns" to make your skin feel normal again. The soft orange plastic tube with white flip top reminds me of Spring, too. 

One of The Advice  Sisters holiday gift suggestions for those who can never get enough vanilla (it is one of those scents considered to be an aphrodisiac), was the Shea Cashmere Collection from Bath & Bodyworks True Blue® Spa. The products feature luxurious ingredients such as Mongolian cashmere extract (to soften and smooth–like a Pashmina against your skin) and African shea butter (the most effective moisturizer I know of) to soften and smooth skin and leave a good-enough-to-eat, creamy, absolutely delicious, vanilla scent. I sampled the tried the Shower Cream $15.00 8 fl. oz. that felt as luxe and soft as a cashmere sweater and left a light, lingering scent of vanilla. Maybe it was just our my imagination, but perhaps I did sense people trying to get a little closer to me the day I tested this body wash. In any case, the collection includes six core products (none more than $18.00) and gift sets running $25.00-$98.00 including one with a  gorgeous robe (see photo). Who says you can't enjoy the luxury of cashmere, this year?

My favorite Origins scent is the spicy and invigorating Ginger scent.  I adored the Origins Tree-Mendously Ginger Gift $59.50 featuring Ginger Float˙ Cream bubble bath for a bubbling oasis in the tub, Ginger Burst˙ Savory body wash, Incredible Spreadable Scrub˙ Ginger body smoother, Ginger Soufflé˙ Whipped body cream and Ginger Essence˙ Intensified fragrance rollerball. With a Cotton Bath Mitt. *hurry to get yours before they're all gone.

I have fallen in love with a new product that costs less than lunch: The Body Butter Coconut Scrub Body Wash $3.99 18 oz. by SoftSoap. This amazingly inexpensive body was smells like coconut, and like Summer, and that already makes happy.  But it's the skin-pampering jojoba butter  and other moisturizing ingredients that really helped my skin to be better than ever.  Tiny little bits of crushed coconut extracts also help gently exfoliate dead skin cells for radiant and smooth skin that's softly scented. The creamy cleanser foams, then washes away leaving nothing but truly softer, smoother, nicer-looking skin.  The large size means you don't have to be stingy with it, wait for special occasions, or hide it from roommates or family.  Now, pampering is an everyday delight!

Sometimes the most exciting products are the modestly-priced ones. One body product that will warm you up, literally, is the Ginger Mentha Warming Mint Body Wash $12.00 by C.O. Bigelow. This body wash cleanses nicely, but it has 1% of both ginger extract and peppermint oil. The scent is an amazing blend of spicy ginger with a hint of mint. That's not what really makes it novel, however: it's the thick, rich creamy wash that has unique “ warming crystals.” These are infused into the wash-in-a-tube and immediately heat up upon body contact. For a few seconds, the cream creates a warming tingle on your body that's surprisingly comforting. When the warmth dissipates and you've finished your shower or bath, and the light, spicy scent lingers just a bit longer. This product is novel, and it's fun to use. But I can see it having some practical applications as well, especially if you live in a cold climate. Warm your body up instantly-- a super idea on a cold morning or after a hard day at work (or a workout). Guys absolutely loved this one as much as the ladies did. There is also a  is also a Body Scrub, $14.00 Moisturizing Body Cream 414.00, Ginger Mentha Lip Shine $7.50, Double Ginger Bath Fizz $5.00

Soulstice Spa has tons of products that are good for you, and good for the planet. Their products are 100% vegan, they don’t test on animals and their products are free of chemicals such as toluene, formaldehyde and DBP. With every purchase of a Soulstice Spa a portion of all proceeds are donated to vital non-profit social and environmental organizations. That would all be reason enough to love this line--but their products are really high-end spa-style at a modest price.  For example, the Imagine Creme Cleanser $24.00 8.5 fl. oz.  It looks like solid gold pearle inside its clear, plastic pump bottle and it can do wonderful things for all skin types thanks to  chamomile, gentle white tea and hydrating panthenol,  to soothe, protect and hydrate while it cleanses without drying or irritating your skin.  The creamy, pearly formula is a spa-in-a-bottle experience, and the gorgeous scent of  romantic rose, jasmine & tuberose essential oils of lime, lemon and orange,  makes it even better. An elegant, pearlescent refining treatment imparts a lasting, petal-soft finish and noticeably smoother skin.  In the bath or shower, the Imagine Body Polish $26.00 8.5 fl. oz. also has  moisturizing panthenol and other good-for-your-skin ingredients (along with that gorgeous, gold perle look), but it also has fine-grained, rice bran wax, micro-beads that offer a thorough yet gentle exfoliation. Massage the creamy lotion into your skin and when you rinse it off there's a luminosity and smoothness you can immediately see and feel. If you like a more invigorating, minty scent, the Evolution Shower Scrub $26.00 8.5 fl. oz.  is particularly good for normal, oily, combo, rough, our break-out prone skin.  It's exfoliating ingredients are volcanic pumice and smooth micro-beads, while absorbent charcoal cleanses & detoxifies pores. Energizing essential oils of peppermint, sage, tea tree and eucalyptus purify and cleanse the body & mind.  White tea leaf extract soothes and comforts--all in all, it's a great product and one that men love, too. After cleansing and exfoliating, smooth on one of two good moisturizers:  Universal Body Lotion $28.00 8.5 fl. oz. is a very lightweight lotion that is fortified with a multi-vitamin complex and potent antioxidants in a lush avocado base, designed for all skin types.  Coenzyme Q10 works hard to erase the visible signs of aging while a mixtures of Vitamins A, C, D, E nourish and protect. I love the (very light and it will quickly dissipate) scent of rosewood and cedarwood which works for men, too.  If your skin is sun-damaged, or just really dry and irritated, try the Perfecting Body Balm $36.00 8.5 fl. oz. with the "big guns" of shea butter, triple action vitamin C, antioxidant and moisturizing vitamin E, soothing Japanese green tea, nourishing plant oils of jojoba, kukui, evening primrose, and a bright, citrus-y scent that makes slathering this on, even nicer.  These products smell nice, feel nice, and work very well...a great choice for you and that "someone special."

The glistening, amber grains of Sothy's Delicious Scrub $44.00  6.76. fl. oz. is heightened by a sensational, spicy scent and texture featuring spices, ginger, nutmeg, orange and mandarin essential oils. This very emollient exfoliator is more gel than cream, and it feels so decadent that you'll want to exfoliate more often. A large, plastic spatula is included with which to make rotating movements to massage the unique and "delicious" product into your skin (I just used my fingers, anyway), but the experience is first-class all the way. For gentle and thorough cleansing and attitude adjustment in the shower, try Sothy's  Relaxing Shower Milk $22.00 5.9 fl. oz. in a lime green tube with white flip top cap. It has a lovely, aromatherapy,  "green" herbal scent. The light white lotion leaves skin nicely softened along with a feeling of well-being. 

Gift sets from Boots look awesomely luxe and are beautifully fragranced and nicely packaged. Every day feels like a day at the spa when you're using something from Boots.  If you weren't lucky enough to get a Boots Gift Set  for the holidays, you can still pick up these modestly priced sets now. The Mediterranean Selection $16.00 features five fantastic products from the Boots Mediterranean collection with a different scent for each product, nicely boxed in a cello package with blue background.  There's a Thyme Milk & Lemon Verbena Bath Cream 2.5 fl. oz; a 2.5 fl. oz flip-top tube of Lemon Rosemary & Walnut Hand & Nail Cream (one of my favorite items); a large 6.6 fl. 9oz jar of Almond Pistachio & Milk Body Butter (smoothes skin in seconds); a 6.6 fl. oz flip top tube of Bergamot Wheat Germ & Basil Body Wash, and a hard milled Almond scented exfoliating soap with tiny buttons to massage and slough off dead skin.  Another inexpensive treat is the Mediterranean Bergamot Mini Gift Collection $8.99 featuring  Bath Cream, Body Wash and Body Butter. If you want them go to Target or order online...they won't be around forever!

TOCCA's fashions are chic and feminine, in a sophisticated, Euro-style way,   TOCCA's beauty products also have that vibe, in a collection of  aromatic candles, luxurious bath and body products,  fine fabric washes, and eau de parfum.  The latest fragrance in a line of five is Tocca Brigitte $68.00 1.7 fl. oz.  It's inspired by French film sexpot,  Brigitte Bardot.  The feeling is lighthearted, intoxicating, alluring, powerful and yet.... still very,  very feminine.  The first sniff sends me immediately to Provence, that aromatic place from which so many wonderful scent are derived.  It begins with fresh and fruity notes of  ginger, rhubarb and papaya, but quickly you can smell the middle notes of romantic iris and exotic saffron, and Moroccan rose  The bottom notes round this out nicely, with sensual and creamy sandalwood and musk. This is a medium weight floriental that has power but is not intrusive. The packaging is also rare and  exquisite:  a slightly off-white carton gilded with a delicate design of birds and flowers, butterflies and bees.  Inside, the bottle is voluptuously round and ribbed to catch the light, highlighting the nearly-sheer fragrance within. The top  covering the spray diffuser is the size of a drawer pull, in substantial, matte bronze and festooned with elements of the golden carton design.  Brigitte is delightful, a perfect, year-round signature fragrance. It's a delight to spritz it on--scented luxury that, like the woman it was named for, will never go out of style.

I met Lisa Price at a Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) event back in 2006.  When she first started her skin and bodycare line, she cooked up the recipes herself in her kitchen, and did all the shipping and other work herself.    Ms. Price's company, Carols Daughter, has come a long way since then.  In November of 2008 she launched her first fine fragrance called Pearls.  I missed the launch event (long, long story) but finally did get the product to try.  Pearls are lovely, feminine, versatile, and yet, a symbol of female power.  The Pearls Eau de Toilette $45.00 1.5 oz. features sophisticated layered notes.  Lisa consulted with the celebrated fragrance house of Firmenich to create this scent. The top notes are fresh and energizing:  anise, bergamot, lemon, verbena, apricot and peach. The middle notes are romantic florals:  rose, jasmine,. violet leaves, ylang-ylang and fresh aldehydes.  The drydown is creamy and sensuous: vanilla, caramel and musks.  Lisa is quoted as saying that she didn't want to create a gourmand scent, but she did want to create a sweet scent.  Each person's nose is unique.  To some this might be a sweetened floral, but to me, I think the scent succeeds as being in the gourmand category and even better, it is just sweet enough to feel feminine and not like a candy tray.  The voluptuously round , clear glass bottle with plastic "Pearl" cap looks pretty but not overdone. The outer packaging features a hard-sided, round ivory tube embossed with delicate lace designs, making it something you'll keep (maybe for makeup pencils) rather than toss. 

Ancient Attar Pure-fume $70.00 1 fl. oz by Aveda is a new all-natural fragrance for women that is perfect for this season's cooler weather. It celebrates Aveda's "30 years of aromas featuring pure plant and flower essences." The exotic-smelling scent was developed by Aveda's in-house perfumer, Ko-Ichi Shiozawa. What's interesting about this fragrance is that it is complex and sophisticated, but the spicy, incense-y notes are not overdone. It's a spicy floral with rose, organic neroli oil, sandalwood oil and rose geranium oil that dries down to a smoky, almost sexy finish and it lasts for hours. FYI: an  "attar" is: " a perfume or essential oil obtained from flowers or petals." As the press literature informs me, Ancient Attar is "Inspired by the ancient art of Indian attar perfumes (Ancient Attar ) and this one is created with 100% botanical essential oils, including traditional attar ingredients, rose and sandalwood, creating a modern, feminine aroma."  This new fragrance uses high quality essential oils sustainably sourced from Aveda's partnerships with farmers and indigenous peoples across the globe (really a nice idea, isn't it), including roses from Bulgaria, sandalwood from Western Australia, and rose geranium oil from South Africa. Read a complete review on the Advice Sisters Blog,

If you can't afford fine jewelry from noted jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels , you can still douse (well, perhaps, just dab) on the new eau de parfum: Féerie, by Van Cleef & Arpels  Eau de Parfum 100ml/$150 Eau de Parfum 50ml/$110 Perfumed Body Cream 200ml/$100 Perfumed Body Lotion 150ml/$55 Perfumed Bath and Shower Gel 150ml/$45  It's pricey, but I'm guessing part of the cost is the beautifully faceted, blue, Féerie bottle featuring a moon flower cabochon and a tall, slender branch providing a perch for the graceful, silvery fairy on top. I didn't experience the actual flacon, just a sample on this one so I can't say much more about the packaging than when the photo shows. But you can easily see why bottle collectors will covet this one.  When you're spending a large sum for a luxe fragrance, it's nice to know that someone actually tested the scent so here's my take:   The press literature calls it a "floral woody" scent, but Féerie, to me is more floral with a hint of fruit, than woody.  The actual notes are: Top Notes: violet, blackcurrant, Italian mandarin, and poesy. Heart Notes: Bulgarian Rose and rose essence bring, and Egyptian Jasmine. Base Notes: Florentine Iris butter , and Haitian vetiver. It's a light, feminine scent works well for everyday and will be wonderful in the warmer months, too. As with most luxe, sophisticated scents, this one will translate differently on everyone, but no matter what your body chemistry, it will smell pleasingly expensive. The bottle, of course, is absolutely gorgeous and romantic.  I see it as  a  "Stevie Nicks" fragrance for a woman who can afford good things, and believes that her dreams can really come true

 TOVA's newest fragrance, Ambre D'oro  $36.50 1.7 fl. oz. is classified as a modern, musky-floral scent (with native, Italian notes. The scent is a light, refreshing floral with just a hint of sensual drydown. There's Sicilian Lemon and Peony Peregrina accord mixed with Asiatic Lily and Plum Blossom. The heart is a feminine blend of florals: Italian Jasmine, Mimosa, Florentine Iris and Wild Gladiola and the drydown features sensual heliotrope, opulent Patchouli, Sandalwood and Amber Musk. Tova scents tend to shout out their characteristics, but this one is more lighthearted, although it  still does linger nicely. I also love Tova's  elegant bottles, and this one has graceful, silk-screened flowers in black on the bottle to make it super-special. TIP: to get the most out of this fragrance, spray the fragrance in the air around you, allowing it to settle naturally as a light veil of scent all over your hair and body. Avoid spraying and rubbing into wrists, as this could crush the individual scents.

If you want to get a fragrance for yourself, or for someone special, but you want it to be something you won't smell everywhere, on everyone, try one of the Trance Essence  scents by Janna Sheehan. Her line features six exotic fragrances and each of the Trance Essence Nectars contains up to twenty-five essential and perfume oil elements. "Anoint Yourself" the web site, invites. I checked out the Eau De Parfum sprays, roll-on perfume oils and hand-poured soy-based candles, and was impressed with the unique, boutique scents. My favorite (although they're all good) is Genie in a Bottle Perfume Oil $52.00 1/8 oz. It comes in a rollerball format and in concentrated form (with no less than 45% essential oils plus jojoba oil) so you don't need much to gain attention with this scent. (the photo shows the fragrance, not the rollerball). Shake the bottle before applying it, and your own body heat will activate the oil's fragrance to it's highest potential. As the name implies, Genie in a Bottle is a bit exotic, featuring Jasmin exotic oil, vanilla, organic frankincense, bittersweet chocolate, black tea, and organic black pepper. The overall feeling is seductive...and fun!

If you love Bobbi Brown Cosmetics (and who doesn't?) you will adore makeup artist divine Bobbi Brown's latest book: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual For Everyone from Beginner to Pro $32.00. I've had the pleasure of watching Bobbi Brown work her magic backstage at Fashion Week and I've always wondered if I could ever develop a practiced hand with makeup. This book provides us all of with the benefit of Bobbi's 25+ years of experience. It features not only 200 full-color photos but also step-by-step instructions including a "Ten Step Guide to Perfect Makeup" that teaches you how to apply your makeup in ten minutes or less. Whether you want to become better at applying your own makeup, or you're interested in the beauty business or both, this book is a "candy store" of beauty information--a complete reference and a must-have!

A good makeup brush is a joy to use, lets you really get the results you want, and will pay dividends every single day. In short, good beauty tools are a good investment.  One that is a "must-have" for bronzers and loose powders is a flat powder brush, such as this  Brush $50.00 by la Bella Donna. The large, flat bristles are made of white goat hair held in place by a substantial, easy to hold black plastic handle that stands securely upright on a dressing table.  This brush is perfect for diffusing loose or pressed powder, especially when you want to layer color, or diffuse it over your skin. The wide, flat brush puts a wash of layerable color on your skin and won't deposit too much in one place. This is critical when you're applying bronzer or foundation. TIP:  La Bella Donna's Minerals For Men comes in one universal color with SPF 20 protection. Avoid a faux "man tan" but look healthy all season.  The product is perfectly applied with this bronzer brush.

If the holidays didn't bring you any great beauty products, the  Burt's Bees, the Overnight Bee-uty Bag $14.99 is still affordable and great fun.  It has six, travel-sized beauty essentials tucked into an adorable, bright yellow fabric zippered beauty bag with red accents and a sweet little "bee" on the side. The products feature good-for-your-skin softening oils, stimulating botanicals and emollient nut butters!  There's a refreshing and soothing, Beeswax Lip Balm and also a nourishing and hydrating Replenishing Lip Balm both in swivel-up form, a Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Lotion (1 fl oz ) with a sweet, vanilla-y scent; a .30 oz Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme, lusciously lemon scented an in a bright yellow tin; a Deep Pore Scrub (0.53 oz) in a tube, with bits of natural peach pits to quickly exfoliate dead, dry skin cells (and willlowbark, Hawaiian ginger, and seaweed to make skin soft and glowing), plus a seriously moisturizing Coconut Foot Creme (0.56 oz) in a tube, to keep heels from cracking and drying out. We also love the Mint Medley Gift Set $ 20.00 featuring six, full-sized products all in a peppermint theme *read the entire review and see photos on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Next to trying on bathing suits, there's no piece of clothing that makes even thin women feel insecure, as trying on jeans. Although they are a staple in today's society, many women have a hard time finding jeans that fit their curves, feel comfortable, and actually look good. However, I have discovered Beija-Flor Brazilian jeans that actually do fit real women: Not all jeans are for every body type, because women just aren't all the same. Beija-Flor Brazilian designer jeans are made to fit the natural curves of a woman's body without being baggy, saggy or simply sorry looking. enough. There are a number of styles (e.g. boot cut, skinny, straight) with most running around $170 srp. and some companion pieces (e.g. jean jackets, cropped pants, and skirts).   Off your body, these jeans look like any other pair of nicely-crafted, designer jeans, but as I tentatively pulled the jeans up  (without a struggle), I realized that these were soft, almost silky on my skin. These jeans are amazingly comfortable--and feel like they actually pamper your body! They accentuate all the right stuff and downplay the areas you don't really love.  If  Beija-Flor hadn't sent me a pair of these jeans to road test, I would have been dubious, but I've spent many a frustrating hour tugging, struggling, and sighing when jeans shopping. Like Cinderella's slipper, these just slid on as if they were made for me, and have made me a believer in Beija-Flor's beauty and comfort. Let these jeans work their magic on you, too: *complete review available on the Advice Sisters Blog 1/08/09.

Nothing ruins the looks of your clothes more than VPL (visible panty line). The telltale bulges just make you look tacky, and besides, didn't mom tell you not to display your underwear in public?! Soma Intimates has an inexpensive solution that feels good and looks better. Soma Intimates is owned by the Chico’s retail chain, beloved by casual women who love the brand's kind to every figure, fashions. Vanishing Edge Panties feature Soma's Vanishing Edge™ technology of a breathable, flexible, clear silicone applied inside the panty where you sit, and where VPL lurks to embarrass you. The wafer-thin, nylon/spandex panty has a cotton lining and feels like a second skin. It's nearly invisible under even tight pants or clingy knits. The "vanishing"  edge sticks to your skin (really, really sticks--right where you place it). It simply doesn't budge, bunch, or reveal that bottom bulge created the thicker edge of most panties. You will see a tiny bit of a crease in very tight pants, but the panty line vanishing act is pretty impressive. I tried both the Bikini $12.00 and the Boyshort $12.00. Both styles are comfortable, so much so that you may forget you're not going commando." There is also a High-Leg Brief , a Hipster, and a Modern Brief $12.00 each.  Depending upon the style you choose, the panty is available in 4-8 colors: black, brown, tan, red, pastel orchid, pink and blue. Even newer is the Vanishing Edge High Leg Brief in lace. I didn't try this model, but I've seen it. The lace is pretty but not too openwork, and it feels soft and comfortable, as does a coordinating Vanishing Lace Bra $42.00 to make a sensual set. The bras come in popular styles such as plunge, full and minimizer) and in nylon and spandex. TIP: sizing is one up in Vanishing Edge in Micro-fiber, Vanishing Edge lace runs true to size.

Every now and then The Advice Sisters get products from companies that we haven't hear of before, but that surprise us.  One brand I think you’ll want to explore, for example, is  Nutra Luxe M.D. The company makes cosmeceutical products that you can purchase outside of a doctor’s office. These are  natural skin care anti aging products that do not contain any preservatives or harmful parabens, thanks to a micro- encapsulation technology. We ignored most of the tech-speak and went right to test the products.  I tried Nutra Luxe M.D.’s BeautyLash Eyelash Conditioner $150.00 4.50 ml (enough for 16 weeks–other sizes available). It takes 4-6 weeks for the product to nurture your eyelashes and eyebrows (if you wish). Simply apply the nutrients in a tube like an eyeliner to top and bottom lashes once a day (it comes with a self-dosing wand with liner brush). It's easy and adds just seconds to your beauty routine, but the ingredients in the product should strengthen and nourish your lashes so that they become longer, fuller, stronger and thicker. We think the idea of more beautiful lashes without the addition of mascara or thickeners to be a nice idea, especially for those with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers who can’t “fake it” without irritation. The product is ophthalmologist tested and formulated by physicians and made in Germany.  The package insert will give you information about what's in the product.  Everyone’s skin and hair is different and so result will vary, but like nourishing hair products, regular use can yield visible results---you decide if it's worth the commitment and the price. Also available from Nutra Luxe M.D. is a Lip Plumper $19.00. It arrives in a really fun, wanded tube-- a clear spiral with silver ribs and a silver top. The gloss comes in Clear, Cherry, Copper and Mauve. Our "Cherry" version was nearly clear on our lips, the cotton-candy colored  gloss did make lips just a bit pinker. The gloss is silky, moisturizing and smells a bit like candy. Within a few seconds, Niacin in the gloss begins to tingle, increasing blood circulation and drawing fluid to your lips to plump them up. I immediately saw a change: pinker, fuller-looking lips. As almost irresistible as this gloss/plumper is, it takes regular use for 25 days to see lasting results. Supposedly the collagen-peptides in this lip plumper will increase your lip volume up to 400% over time.  The gloss is so nice, you’re likely to want to use it alone or over your favorite lip colors, even if it didn’t plump lips. The packaging, the tingle, the silky, moisturizing gloss, and the immediate visible bennies make this a great lip plumper to own

A few months ago I attended Sheckys Beauty Night Out and was pleased to meet Galyna Zuy, who was selling a curious little device called Epicare $16.99 ($1.00 shipping additional). The product looks is a simple, tightly wound, metal spring (it honestly looks like the type in a  screen door) with both ends covered in plastic in cheerful colors, but it's a low-tech, tote-able, threading-inspired tool for facial hair removal. Bend the spring in the middle and roll it up and back over your skin.  The spring action traps hair and removes all the "peach fuzz" from your chin, upper lip, and cheeks  at the roots without chemicals, wax, tweezing, or mess.  This little spring is fast and clean.  What it isn't, is completely without discomfort. The tingling sensation of the hair being removed was a bit uncomfortable for me personally, but I have sensitive skin, so it wasn't any worse than other methods.  Another plus is that since the hair is pulled out by the roots, none of your skin is being taken along with it as with waxing. My skin was mildly irritated but not red or raw as with waxing and chemical processes. The best thing is that Epicare has a one-time cost--once you've purchased it you can use it over and over and over again...what cream or wax is that economical?  I can't say I love using it, but it's so easy and immediate, it's become my "go to" tool of choice!

Nature's Candy Designs offer a range of affordable, silver and gold-plated jewelry items. The Elements collection starts at just $39.00 per pendant (there are larger, solid, reversible pendants for $89.95, too). These are basically unisex--charms featuring the elements of earth, air, fire and water that can be adapted to fit bracelets and a variety of corded and chain necklaces. TIP: The company uses eco-friendly metals. All their jewelry "findings" (clasps, chains etc.) that are purchased from vendors who use recycled silver and gold, and who are environmentally responsible. Their production technology utilizes manufacturing processes using fewer resources and products that ultimately contribute less waste and more environmental protection. The Advice Sisters like the idea that Natures Candy cares about our Earth, and also exclusively use recycled packaging and materials. In case you missed our review, check it out with more photos, on the Advice  Sisters web site.

It's great when you can use a product that actually helps improve your skin while you sleep,  Neova Night Therapy $74.80 1.7 fl. oz by Procyte (new to our reviews this column) has a proprietary GHK Copper Peptide Complex that is designed to help stimulate collagen and elastin production while you sleep. The good-for-all-skin types, really luxurious, ice-blue cream penetrates quickly and deeply into your skin to help improve it's texture with results you can see and feel. There is a virtual cocktail of good stuff in the jar (and I wish it was in a tube with a delivery system that didn't force me to put my fingers into it). The key element is the Copper Peptide Complex. Other ingredients include apricot kernel oil, cyclomethicone ( a skin softener), dimethicone (moisture retention), grape seek extract, (antioxidant to defend against free radicals), Japanese green tea (calms and soothes), Prezatide copper acetate (nourishes for healthy skin sodium hyaluronate (powerful humectant), squalene (retexturizes and softens) and Vitamin E (antioxidant). As with all things, a luxury cream will live up to your expectations if they are reasonable.  Even If Neova Night Therapy doesn't turn back the hands of time for you, it will at least make your skin feel softer and smoother...and depending upon your skin, maybe a bit more than that. Put it all together and you have a good cream that could help your skin look better tomorrow than it does today.

Last year I attended the annual Fall Media event hosted by Spa Magazine, and met representatives from G.M. Collin.  I knew their products would be special when I received their electronic press kit: a memory stick on a rubber bracelet. Dedicated to protecting the environment, G.M. Collin  has a green approach from the selection of ingredients, to recycled/recyclable packaging, and every aspect of the manufacturing process.  All their products are derived from natural plant and marine extracts and are biotechnologically developed to be results oriented. Moreover, there are a dizzyingly huge collection of products to suit just about every skin type and every skin problem you can think of. I tried the Active C Serum $92.00 0.5 fl. oz., a very concentrated serum created from 100% active Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid); the Lip "Plumping" Complex $37.50 .26 fl. oz.  A clear rectangular tube with silvery wanded top dispenses a silky, clear (moist not shiny) gloss with collagen and Hyaluronic acid  (a super-moisturizer) microspheres to plump and improve the look of your lips; and the  A.G.E. Defense $106.00 and contains 1.7 oz.  with a powerful cocktail of 8 antioxidants and 5 peptides including Matrixyl and Dermaxyl.  Read the complete reviews on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Last year attended a Webinar for Clinique Medical, a new collaboration between Allergan and Clinique offering clinically proven skin care products to complement in-office aesthetic procedures. All are allergy tested and fragrance free.  Even though I haven't had any chemical peels or surgery or other such treatments, I do care about keeping my skin protected from the sun's damaging rays, so I eagerly tried the Clinique Medical Daily SPF 38 $38.00 1.7 fl. oz.  The fairly high SPF and oil-free formula attracted me, instantly.  While this sunscreen is designed to protect pre- and post-procedure skin from the damaging effects of UV rays, anyone can benefit from it.  The formula helps prevent hyper pigmentation and premature signs of aging, using antioxidants and powerful UVA/UVB sunscreens. Active ingredients include  Homosalate 4.0%, Octisalate 4.0%, and Avobenzone.  The light cream is easily absorbed --in about 60 seconds you won't even realize you applied it and you can wear it under makeup without any greasy breakthrough. SPF 38 is high enough for a decent daily protection and it didn't make me break out, all of which make it a good choice for an upscale facial sunblock whether you've had work "done" or not.

One of my absolute favorite cosmetics products in 2008 was UnWrinkle Pressed Powder by Peter Thomas Roth. The Advice Sisters have also reviewed UnWrinkle Eye . These high end products have special bennies for anyone with early signs of aging. or who already has lived a little more, and her/his face is showing it.  We recently got a small sample of the original Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle 1 fl. oz. $120.00.  When you're purchasing a costly skincare product you really have to know whether or not it is going to be appropriate for your skin, and keep your expectations within the realm of reason.  This product is more of a serum than an anti-wrinkle cream.  It has a patent-pending, exclusive blend of six powerful ingredients to combat aging, eliminate the  appearance of deep wrinkles & facial expression lines, help boost natural collagen production and leave skin looking firm and smooth.  In fact, the web site boasts an up to "72% reduction in wrinkle size in just 28 days." *Read the Entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog

By Terry VIP Expert Peace & Glow $65.00 .57 fl. oz. has a unique delivery system that features a unique and somewhat glamorous delivery system" a  huge, sleek, shiny sliver, rollerball roll-on in a huge, click-it pen tube, with a rollerball.  The application provides a massage that stimulates micro-circulation.  In other words, it helps to relax  skin tissues and soften signs of fatigue with an instant, spa-like,  anti-stress effect. The rollerball delivers floral-scented active ingredients such as hydro-calming extracts, antioxidants and regenerating proteins. The application feels refreshing, and relaxing on temples and other stress points -- you'd look younger instantly just from feeling less stressed.  It makes a perfect, take-a-break from work moment. I would have liked to have seen more information about what the actives were in this product. I couldn't find them anywhere. But the product feels good, de-puffs, and does make skin feel softer.  Perhaps you don't need any more coaxing to purchase a luxurious product from France, but if you do need an extra excuse, consider this to be an attitude adjuster you can take with you to relieve stress, as well as combat the signs of aging.

Garden of Eve, new to our reviews this column, offers products that give women of all skin types (including sensitive skin),  a natural approach to anti aging products. The products (primarily) use the essential oils of plants. hand-crafted in small batches,  distilled from those that are organically grown or wild crafted.  The company has various lines to suit various types of skin, including products for men, and for pregnancy needs.  I tried the Wise Woman Line, for  mature, combination skin without acne, oily skin or dry skin.  These products offers extra skin bennies to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, for toning, for hydration, and for   improving circulation for radiance.    My favorite products in the line were the Wise Woman Emollient Crème $57.00 1.3 fl. oz. and  Eye Creme: 0.5 oz $39.00 These products feel wonderful, vanishing into skin almost magically while leaving an immediately smoother, hydrated skin. There's nothing nicer that a super-hydrating cream that is not only effective, but doesn't feel greasy. There's also a Facial Toner and a Facial Cleansing Toner, A mask, and a cleansing nectar. The scents are also a plus for those who like incense-y and herbal fragrances created with ingredients such as rose, jasmine, frankincense, geranium, myrrh and carrot seed, sandalwood (there are unscented products as well. If you have sensitive skin or want a natural and gentle way to approach skin care, this is a very nice line definitely worth exploring further!

The Advice Sisters introduced Liz Earle to the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review columns back in Spring 2008 when we reviewed some of Liz's excellent bodycare products.  This is a British skincare line with naturally active ingredients. The company does no animal testing, has no animal ingredients, has no chemical sunscreens (except beeswax, propolis and manuka honey), no mineral oils, and no genetically engineered ingredients.  I was eager to try some of the products for the face, and was presented with several.  The first one I tried was a Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser $24.50 Starter Kit featuring two muslin cloths and a 3.3 fl. oz pump bottle of cream cleanser. Massage the concentrated cleanser over a dry face, and then "polish" it off with one of the muslin cloths (rinsed in hot water and wrung dry).  The muslin is slightly rough,  everyday dirt, makeup, and even long-lasting lipstick and mascara. It takes a little more effort to do this two-step process, but your skin will feel clean and smooth so it's totally worth it.  Follow with Instant Boost Skin Tonic $21.00 6.7 fl. oz bottle.  I like the all-in-one cap on this toner. Twist it open and a tiny "spigot" pops out of the cap, ready to use. Twist it closed and the spigot retracts back into the cap. The lightly floral smelling toner is gentle on your skin, and non-drying. It has soothing vitamin E and hydrating organic aloe vera, plus calendula, cucumber and rose-scented geranium to wake up and soothe your skin. This is so pleasant to use you'll feel good about it even if you generally skip toners, or dislike the feel or the smell of them. Liz Earle has lots of moisturizers, which are the logical next step in a regular skincare routine, but I tried the Superskin Moisturizer 1.6 fl. oz. $60.00 1.6 fl. oz. a fragrance-free product for mature or very dry skin with natural actives such as cranberry, borage and rosehip seed oils. This very rich cream also has high levels of GLA and is rich in omega-3 to prevent moisture loss and improve skin elasticity. Antioxidants pomegranate fruit extract and natural source vitamin E help protect from environmental damage, too. Liz Earle gives very specific instructions on how to apply this cream: Apply to face with upward and outward movements using firm pressure. With your fingertips, lightly smooth in an outward circular direction along the cheekbones to above the eyebrows. Using the thumb and ring finger gently pinch along the brow bone from the nose to the outer edge of the brow. Finish by gently sweeping your hands up the neck and over the décolletage.  All this was just a bit too much process for me, a slap-it-on-and-go type of girl, and the cream is best used as a night cream unless your skin is seriously bone dry, but there are moisturizers for just about every type of skin in Liz Earle's skincare collection. Also intense and super-emollient is the Superskin Concentrate $70.00 1 fl. oz *other sizes available. This  super-intense aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils has softening argan and organic rosehip oils, soothing neroli, lavender and chamomile essential oils plus protective natural source vitamin E. I liked the fresh, herbal scent and the way it really helped combat seriously dry and stressed-out skin. I really like Liz Earle's products, but they are obviously designed to suit very specific skin types. Make sure you consult the web site and pick what works best for your age and skin condition to get the best results from these excellent products. TIP:  also try Liz Earle's Amazing Orange Flower Hand Wash and Hand Repair, both in plastic pump bottles. They smell like lavender and soothe away the day's cares along with dry skin!

Elizabeth Grant's luxe skin and body care products feature a secret formulation Ms. Grant had created for her, called: "Torricelumn™" The star ingredient is kelp: extracted from the fronds and hidden within the pods that keep the clusters of fronds afloat. These pods lift the leaf-like fronds to the ocean's surface, allowing them to absorb sunlight photosynthesizing oxygen, the source of life and energy. The seawater absorbed by kelp is similar to human plasma, allowing beauty buffs using Elizabeth Grant products to obtain beauty bennies of the sea's vitamins and minerals, too. We have reviewed some of these wonderful products from the Vitamin C collection in the past.  Two we haven't reviewed are the Vitamin C Body Scrub $40.00 6.6 fl. oz. and the and the Vitamin C Cleanser $25.00 4 fl. oz.  that Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps to reduce skin damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules in the environment caused by pollution, smoking and ozone that damage the skin). Vitamin C also help to strengthen Collagen, our skin’s support structure. The Vitamin C plus Torricelumn in the Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C collection gives skin a real boost. Both are packaged in  bright, yellow tubes with flip-top caps, making them good travel companions.  The Cleanser is a mild, slightly orange/lemon-y scented cream that rinses off easily and leaves skin feeling super-soft, but free of dirt, grime and makeup.  The Body Scrub smells light, but with a scent I couldn't absolutely identify (somewhat floral somewhat fresh).  It looks like thick, vanilla pudding with tiny, brown exfoliating grains.  The mild exfoliator is pleasant to use and leaves skin smooth and soft, but not greasy.  TIP: for added protection and skin enhancement we also like Vitamin C Day Serum $65.00 1 fl. oz.  It comes in a yellow and shiny gold pump bottle, and it's a stabilized Vitamin C treatment to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots (yes, it contains Torricelumn™ too).  What makes Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Day Serum different than some other serums is that Vitamin C is known to be unstable and there has a limited life after opening. This product is a stabilized form of high dosage Vitamin C and the solution can be bottled so it will stay fresh, longer.

Skin that looks healthy and youthful can't just be wrinkle-free, it needs to look even-toned, too.  Luckily, last month, PCA Skin launched a new,  brightening therapy: PCA SKIN Brightening Therapy with TrueTone $48.00 1 fl. oz. with a proprietary blend of ingredients called "TrueTone" proven to reduce all types of skin discoloration.  For those with sensitive skin, this is of particular benefit, since the more traditional treatment options for hyper pigmentation can feel more like sandpaper than a skin treatment. Traditional treatments are not just potentially irritating; those with ethnic skin can sometimes see an increase (horrors!) in discoloration, sabotaging their very efforts!  TrueTone includes ingredients that inhibit the production of tyrosinase (an antioxidant enzyme responsible for initiating the pigment response). You can use this product over your entire face and body wherever discoloration is occurring, and the light, peach colored lotion is appropriate for all skin types. It is easily absorbed and there's just a hint of a shield on your skin afterwards.  The white and black tube looks "clinical," in keeping with the serious nature of PCA SKIN care products.  TIP: Since tyrosinase can make skin more susceptible to free radical damage, daily use of a moisturizer with reasonable SPF in it if is critical if you want to keep the discoloration from coming back, not to mention keep your skin safe and healthy.

Wouldn’t you love to have comfort, on call? Well, maybe your best friend can’t be near you all the time, or your pet can’t curl up next to you at work, but Clinique has created a new face cream  for those who have sensitive skin, called Comfort on Call $39.50.  It  can comfort your skin and protect it from irritants, no matter how far away from home you are. One of the star ingredients in this soothing cream is Citrus Jabara Fruit, indigenous to Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture region. It’s part of Clinique's “Enviro-Soothe Complex” that includes anti-irritants such as Mangosteen and licorice extract (Glycyrrhetinic Acid, to be technical).  Clinique’s new Comfort on Call shines in extreme weather conditions such as really frigid climates, where all skin types get dry and irritated severe cold. The cream adapts to fluctuations in weather, and helps maintain moisture in the skin while protecting against pollutants. So although everyone can benefit from the product, those with really sensitive skin--even those with skin conditions such as eczema, can use this one effectively.  Clinique is a leader in products for those with sensitive skin types and makes lots of different products to suit varying skin issues, but if you have super-sensitive skin, you can’t ever be too sure that the product you’re getting is really 100% fragrance free and allergy-tested. This cream can really make a difference in how your skin looks and feels, specially if you like outdoor sports such as skiing where wind and weather can really do a number on your skin.  Just dab just a bit all over, or just on extra-dry patches of skin, and you will see and feel the difference, immediately. TIP:  Also read about the new, Clinique Turnaround Products on the Advice Sisters Blog

I am a huge fan of Pevonia Botanica's spa and spa-style products, that let you get the best out of your body, mind and spirit, at home.  One of the most luxurious eye products I have ever used is the Pevonia Botanica Myoxy-Caviar Timeless Eye Contour $155.00 1 fl. oz.  A graceful, frosted glass bottle with black pump top holds a precious treat:  a rejuvenating eye cream loaded with caviar extract  to repair and smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles.   Niacinamide, and antioxidant/anti anti-inflammatory, and Escutox, a blend of oligopeptides and oligosaccharides (from young okra seeds, no less) help reduce the depth and texture of wrinkles, too.  The Advice Sisters didn't use it for long enough to see the visible results we believe you will get if you smooth this around your eyes in the morning for about a month. We did see less puffiness and dark circles, fairly quickly.  If nothing else you'll feel like you've done your body a good deed for the day.  The light lotion is also very lightly scented and absorbs quickly, and pampers you.  And another part of your body that really needs pampering --especially in the dryness of Winter, are your hands and feet.  Pevonia Botanica's Myoxy-Caviar Hand & Foot Cream $38.00 1.7 fl. oz. smells like fresh flowers and instantly silkens your even the driest skin on hands and feet. The white plastic tube has a pointed tip to dispense just what you need of this lotion with a loose consistency, that absorbs lightening fast.  The ingredients include caviar extract  loose lotion.  Exquisitely luscious, this cream delivers the ultimate anti-ageing formula by precisely blending Caviar, Marine Collagen, Retinol and Vitamins A & E, within a natural healing base of Shea Butter.  Smooth this on your feet, and they'll be deliciously scented and amazingly smooth,  But on your hands, the silkening, hydrating effect is just as pronounced (and there's UV protection, too)! It is definitely a delightful addiction and a "must-have" for this season. This cream is in my handbag, and  when at home, on my desk....I'm not going to get through Winter without it (and neither should you). 

I was first introduced to the wonderful skin care solutions of Lierac on the very French island of St. Barths.  The company is part of the Ales Groupe which also includes another one of my favorites, Phyto.  Lierac has been around for over 30 years but now it's available in your own hometown , in select drugstores such as CVS, Longs, Eckerd/Rite Aid and Duane Reade!  One product that is particularly good for really dehydrated Winter skin is Lierac Concentre Mesolift Toning Radiance Serum $60.00 1.05 fl. oz.  Just a small dropper of this slightly citrus-y smelling serum can help a dry, dead-looking complexion, come alive again while it also combats fine lines and wrinkles.  I like the frosted glass bottle and the way the serum disappears into skin, leaving just a so. The lightweight serum packs a strong punch, with 5% vitamins A, E, B5, B6 and C (from blood orange) to help cell renewal; 5% Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin; and 5% minerals of iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and manganese to stimulate.  It's like a multi-vitamin pill for your face!  Use this day and night under your moisturizer and/or makeup, massaging the product outward from the T-zone.  This little addition to your skincare routine can really make a huge difference,  especially now when the weather is cold and doing it's best to sabotage your skin. If your skin is significantly dehydrated, you need the "big guns" of a super-hydrator like Lierac's Hydra Chrono $50.00 1.35 oz.  The "extreme balm" is a true bonus--a  booster for skin that really needs a deep-down treatment.  The "aqua-pump" complex in this product has a combo of actives that work to "pump" the re-hydrating ingredients deeper into the skin as well as work on the surface.  The star ingredients in this product are red micro-algae that help to restore skin deep down, and a natural amino acid (TMG) that helps the skin to trap moisture at the source and re-distribute it to the outmost layers of your skin to make it look younger. Botanical oils of apricot and safflower have high levels of essential fatty acids,, and 5% glycerin pumps up the hydration and skin-softening properties even more.  If your skin is really dry, whether it's maturing or not, this pink tinted product with slight rose scent won't leave your skin with an oil slick, and it's a good product to have on hand.

Dark nails are definitely still in style. Chanel’s Le Vernis Nail Color in designed with a patented, no-spill bottle and wiping action" to make your DIY easier (especially with dark colors) and more efficient. The high-tech formula doesn't just color, it also nurtures nails with moisturizers and strengtheners (another reason to keep your manicure fresh).  "Lotus Rose" is a vibrant, super-velvety cool rose that looks softer than bright red, but just as rich and dramatic.

Sante Active's Pedi-Relax is a French line of effective foot care products combining science with natural essential oils that look expensive, but are shockingly affordable. For more than 35 years, Europeans have enjoyed these products featuring gels, creams and sprays that pamper, protect and refresh your skin. Now, the line is available in the USA. The srp. of the products is $7.99 per item, and includes an Exfoliating Cream, Moisturizing Massage Cream, Moisturizing Repair Cream, Refreshing Deodorant Spray, Intense Hydrating Cream, and Protective Barrier Cream. There's also a new, Pedi-Relax Set With Essential Oils $19.99 that features a trio of foot treats: Intense Hydrating Cream (for dry and damaged feet), Exfoliating Cream (to keep feet feeling smooth) and Protective Barrier cream (to help prevent blisters). This is a great way to try the line, to keep feet from being dry, irritated and cracked, and it's a nice gift, too.  The set is housed in a white box with cello window and contains 4.2 oz. flip-top tubes of the Intense Hydrating Cream for Feet; Exfoliating Cream for Feet (strong exfoliation that's really great for dry feet with calluses);  and a Protective Barrier Cream for Feet -Specifically formulated to create protective barrier between feet and shoes. The soothing lotion has a barrier of silicone and Squalane to prevent rubbing and overheating of feet during exercise. Winter brings special challenges for feet that get dry and cracked, but you don't have to fork over a fortune for foot care. Pedi-Relax  will treat your feet, all Winter long.

Some people (myself included) love polished nails but develop the bad habit of peeling off the polish when bored, stressed out, etc. Peeling off the polish also takes a bit of the nail with it, weakening the nails.  Sula Nail Polish $10.00 on the other hand, has a water-based formula that is actually meant to be peeled off in one clean sweep without ever resorting to nail polish remover (or idle flaking.  Now I can peel away in perfect peace, knowing that my nails won't suffer!  I loved the squat bottle with a tall black cap featuring a white flower on the top, and the brush that really covers nails easily and effectively with one swipe.  I also loved the colors:  Crimson Red, Modern Mauve, Champagne. and  "Perfect Pink," a bright, glossy, year-round, party-perfect pink that added just the right amount of color and "oomph" to my hands. It'll look great with sandals, and with your "little black dress" too.

The holidays are over, but the Winter is the time you really want your fingers and toes to look fabulous.  Nail Polish $15.00 from The Lippman Collection give you trendy, long-lasting, glossy color that will make your skin look better than ever, even if you haven't had any time outdoors.  Celebrity manicurist  Deborah Lippmann knows the trends intimately.  She's created four gorgeous colors for Winter, and made them good-for-your-nails with green tea extracts and protein-building Biotin.  Deborah's quick-drying, long-lasting, no-chip polishes are always named after popular songs.  "Icing On The Cake" is a girly, light pink that's frosty and feminine.  It will warm up even the palest of hands and feet. "Maneater" is a dark blackened chocolate that is velvety and warm.  "Holiday" is a candy apple red infused with subtle glitter, perfect for dates, parties, and seduction!  And, since I love shiny and glittery objects, I adore "Superstar" a  warm brown base with a serious dollop of bright gold glitter that "gilds" nails with a half brown/half copper polish that slides on effortlessly leaving a starry glow in it's wake.

When a handsome television star puts his or her name and face to a fragrance, it’s a sure bet that consumers will flock to buy it. Patrick Dempsey Unscripted Eau de Toilette $32.00 2.5 fl. oz. Toilette exclusively from Avon is so affordable, women will run to buy it in droves, hoping to make their men more “McDreamy.”  Patrick Dempsey’s wife, Jillian, is an accomplished makeup artist, and doubtless, Patrick knows more about what goes into scent than most men. The notes include cardamom, black peppercorn, fig, lavender, leatherwood, patchouli, vetiver and musk, categorizing the fragrance as a “green woody scent.” The scent is “sexy and stylish without even trying.”  Avon has really stepped up the quality and presentation of their fragrances in the past few years, working with couture designers and now, celebrities, to create fragrances that offer luxury at a reasonable price. Read the Entire Review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

I believe in affirmations, because if you can think it, you can say it, and if you can say it, you can do it!  Alef Bet by Paula, new to our columns, is a web site that has fine contemporary & Jewish Jewelry in sterling silver and 14k gold. They carry a variety of jewelry designs and types for every occasion, including a Health Necklace $34.00 on an 18" sterling silver chain. he round charm on this necklace says "Health" around the perimeter in English and in Hebrew.  The design is simple enough to appeal to men as well as women (I'd suggest a longer chain for the guys, however).  It is the perfect affirmation to remind you that the healthier lifestyle you promised yourself in 2009 is attainable, as long as you work towards it every day. It's also a nice gesture for an ailing friend. There is also a three-charm necklace with: health, happiness and love $75.00 and a single charm health bracelet in sterling silver on a red cord that is $30.00. 

Pevonia Botanica's Tension Relief Gel $15.00 1.7 fl. oz.  was not just developed for men, but it's one of those products that guys love...after they've tried it.  You won't have to coax him into trying it twice, but you will have to hide the tube or buy him his own.  The pleasantly camphor scented, cooling, green gel is tailor-made for deodorizing and soothing tired, sore feet and provides immediately relief!  It's amazing how rejuvenated your feet will feel--the next best thing to taking the time to enjoy a total foot bath and massage..,,,what can I say except... we love it! 

Guys sweat...girls do too, but when it's not just underarms that can get stinky.  Feet sweat, too, and it always seems to be the guys whose sneakers, shoes and slippers smell so bad even the dog doesn't want to fetch them! Thankfully, Certain Dri has created two new products just for foot odor and sweat:  Certain Dr Feet Microsponge Powder $7.99 1.25 oz., and Certain Dri Feet Moisture Control Pads $7.99/74 pads.  One controls odor, the other, perspiration, but when they are used together they give amazing results and help even the hardest working feet to stay dry and odor free.   The one/two punch starts at bedtime. Apply Certain Dri Feet Moisture Control Pads in the evening.  They have 12% aluminum chloride (the ingredient recommended by podiatrists to control excessive foot moisture), and then sparingly dust on the rather cooling Microsponge Powder in the morning for added protection against odor throughout the day. The product should be applied to the soles of the feet, in between the toes and in your shoes.  It really looks like ordinary body powder, but it isn't.  It's packed with anti-odor fighting ingredients and creates a protective barrier that prevents air from coming into contact with moisture/sweat. Key ingredients include:  Dimethicone (anti-friction agent); two antibacterials (prevent the formation of odor causing bacteria); Triclosan  (prevents growth and kills bacteria responsible for odor); Chlorhexidine digluconate  (kills bacteria, the source of odor); Grillocin  (helps to neutralize odors ). and menthol to cool and also to mask odor.

Smart men everywhere understand that even basic skin care can improve the look and feel of their skin right now, and protect it against aging for the future.  Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 $37.50  3.4 oz. by Aramis  is a lightweight moisturizer with an invigorating, fresh scent that continuously hydrates, smoothes,  and reconditions skin all day long.  And, even if he isn't all that aware of it, anti-oxidants are also guarding his skin against the signs of aging.  What's even better,  this simple but effective product has a breakthrough technology delivers solar-activated protection against the sun's UVA/UVB rays and other environmental stresses all day long.  Since most men really don't bother with SPF protection on a daily basis (although they should), even if he's out in the sun, at least he'll get at least a minimum of SPF protection from this multi-tasking product just for men. This is particularly important since shaving exposes new skin more quickly than a woman's, and the new skin cells need more protection!  It's good for all skin types--there's no excuse not to use it!

Smart guys care about their skin!  One way to get your special guy to try skincare made just for them, is the Burt's Bees Men's Natural Grooming Kit srp. $25.99.  A really attractive, just-the-right-size, black and grey zippered nylon dopp kit,  holds five fantastic Burts Bees men's products  (*nicely packaged with masculine labels) and featuring fresh, light, herbal scents (thanks to a blend of essential oils).  The kit contains products that are 100% natural including:  a famous, Burts Bees Lip balm plus aftershave 2.5 fl. oz;  body wash 12 fl oz;  shave cream 6 oz. and a 4 oz solid bar soap (this one's 99.72% natural).  To read the Advice Sisters review of these products, visit the post on the Advice Sisters Blog\