THE ADVICE SISTERS® "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics &
Fashion Review Column
JUNE (Father's Day)
2007 by Alison Blackman Dunham
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SPF PRODUCTS - FOR YOUR BODY: When I received the box with samples of PreSun, I had a flashback to the sunny and always-delightful times when my family would go out on our sailboat, the Gemini III (named for my twin sister and I). My father was an able captain, a fair-skinned physician. Dad had the good sense to cover him skin with a serious sun block every time we went out in the sun. He is in his late 80's today, and although he has had a few skin cancers removed, he's in good shape. One of the sun blocks Dad liked was PreSun, which he used liberally before we ever got to the boat. Although though the cosmetic effects of aging from the sun's damaging rays weren't of that much concern to him, the potential to get skin cancer, was. These days, most women are savvy to sunscreen, and wear some products to protect their skin. But guys, apparently, don't always remember that what you can't see, can hurt you. Skin cancer can be potentially lethal, if left unchecked. Unlike the old-fashioned sun blocks, PreSun protects your precious skin with products that are either formulated with broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) ingredients such as Avobenzone (Parasol 1789--a powerful sun screen) or a unique titanium dioxide. They are all waterproof and PABA free. We like the neat, white plastic bottles with color-coded graphics and flip caps. There are a number of different SPF strengths, but We prefer those with SPF 30. PreSun Ultra SPF30 Cream $10.99 4 oz with Parasol 1789 is an unscented, thick but easily blended, moisturizing formula that even helps out a bit if your skin is dry, but absorbs quickly for absolutely no greasy feel. For those with oily skin, PreSun Ultra SPF 30 Gel $10.99 4 fl. oz also has Parasol 1789 but the liquid-y gel formula is very light and easy to apply, with the same powerful sun block-ability. PreSun Sensitive Sunblock SPF 28 $11.99 3.5 oz. tube uses titanium dioxide with nearly the same strength SPF, but it doesn't have chemical sunscreens in it, making it perfect for anyone who is particularly sensitive to traditional sunscreens, or who are extremely photosensitive. The fragrance-free formula is extremely rich and thick, but still blends easily for good coverage. It takes less than 15 minutes for the sun's UVA/UVB rays to start damaging your skin. This summer, be smart: use a sun block before you leave the house, and re-apply it often. Your skin will thank you. A basic sun screen that works for everyone in the family is a space and time saver, and more economical too. Zia Age-Defying Solar Care Body SPF 15 4 fl. oz $13.95. is oil free, protects with UVA/UVB sun filters and is blended with healing and nourishing ingredients such as green tea, ginseng, and Vitamin E, to protect your skin from the aging effects of the environment as well. What I particularly like about this product is that is unscented (thank you!) and goes on light and creamy, not oily and greasy, yet is water and sweat-resistant and won't clog pores (we tested it, so we know this is true). That means both men and women will like the skin-friendly bennies. Glycerin chamomile and sodium hyaluronate help to hydrate and smooth your skin, no matter what shape it's in. The flip-top tube makes it easy to tote. The label says this is not for children under 6 months of age, but nearly everyone else in your family will find it a pleasant change from the scented, fruity and chemical-smelling alternatives. TIP: I'd suggest checking with your child's pediatrician before using this on a very young child, but otherwise, the entire family can and will want to use it. We're not the only ones who love Kinerase products, so does Courtney Cox Arquette, who is a spokesperson for the brand (and has beautiful skin--I've seen it up close). Now that Summer is here, you'll want to really protect your skin as much as possible. The Kinerase Cream with SPF 30 $135.00 2.8 oz, is definitely on the "caviar" end of luxury sun blocks, but the a gentle, non-prescription product gives you a triple treat: an anti-aging treatment, high (and effective) sun protection, and moisture all in cream in a flip top tube. The star is Kinetin (.1% N6 Furfuryladenine), which is a natural substance that helps the skin retain moisture and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. A 6% titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are it's partners as a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun block. QuSome Technology delivery a greater amount of all the product's active ingredients into the difference layers (not just the surface) of your skin. In more humid climates, you might choose Kinerase Lotion with SPF 30 $135.00 2.8 oz--it has the same powerful cocktail of good-for-your-skin benefits. These are powerful protectors great for everyone, but essential for anyone undergoing skin resurfacing, plastic surgery, with sensitive skin, or skin conditions such as dermatitis, rosacea, or eczema. Last month, DDF (Doctor's Dermatologic Formula) debuted a new product, called DDF Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30 $30.00 4 fl. oz. What it does is bring self-adjusting color spheres (to enhance natural skin tone, even out complexion, and minimize visible redness) in a SPF 30 product that seriously helps to guard against harmful UVA/UVB rays and free radical damage. It contains, among other things, micronized zinc oxide, micronized titanium dioxide, Allantoin, Green Tea, Aloe Vera, and Chamomile Extract to provide smooth coverage, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help restore, calm, and protect skin, and reduce visible redness, and offer good sun protection. I don't know exactly how the product does it, but it really does even out skin tone and reduce redness! It is not a foundation or a bronzer or a tinted moisturizer. It doesn't leave any actual color on your skin. Yet, it blends perfectly with your skin's natural color and skin looks brighter, smoother, clearer, better. That would be great as-is, but with the non-greasy, SPF 30 protection it affords your face, who wouldn't want this product? The creators of DDF, dermatologist, Dr. Howard Sobel and his sister Elaine Linker, have created a line of products distinguished by their cutting edge innovations. This one is a small miracle. We just got a small sample, but I'm hooked! When you find something that works, you can't wait to tell everyone. This one, works, and I think you'll agree it's worth the price, and then some. I am making this one of my "must-haves" this month and all Summer long.
HANDY HELPERS FOR (EVERYONE'S) HAIR:
You already know to protect your skin when you go out into the sunny outdoors (good for you!) but your hair is also at risk, every time you expose it to the sun's damaging rays. Redken's newest, UV Rescue Shimmering Defense Daily Care Protective Lotion $14.95 5 oz. can help you protect your hair color from the elements, moisturize dry tresses, detangle, restore shine, and even control frizz. What makes the difference is Redken's exclusive C2 Solar Complex, a delivery system that introduces Vitamin C to the surface of your hair, along with ceramides (to restore, strengthen and repair the hair cuticle) that go to your hair's inner structure. It may sound complicated, but along with protection, you'll see shinier, healthier, silkier hair. Mica is also in this product, so it adds light-reflecting shine while you're moisturizing and protecting your hair color, and your precious tresses. The orange and red tube with black twist on/off cap makes this a perfect beach partner, especially since this is a leave-in conditioner that is meant for daily use. We tried it on dry, frizzed hair, and it softened and shined it without making it heavy or greasy--and all we needed was a small amount! This is an effective product that makes sense, and is a good investment for great looking hair. Pop one in your tote bag for great hair days all Summer long. This excellent line also features Shampoo, Conditioner, Oil and Moisturizers. Reviewers also really liked the new, Redken Curl Force 17 Texturing Spray-Gel $15.95 5 oz. Just because you have wavy or curly hair doesn't mean you can't have it looking shiny, frizz free and under control. The new formula in Redken Curl Force 17 Texturing Spray-Gel gives often hard to manage, medium-to-coarse, and wavy or curly hair, new hope for a sexy style. These hair types often don't shine as much as straighter hair, and it tends to frizz (especially in the warmer months, when heat and humidity are high). What we all liked so much about this product is that the light and slightly fruity-scented, clear, lightweight liquid/gel is so effective and easy to use. The secret is Redken's exclusive bonding system that gives hair, even curly hair, control and texture. There are also ingredients that help your hair resist frizz, without making it sticky, limp or greasy. You can use it in the morning and refresh your style later on without having to wet or re-wash your hair. Simply mist on damp hair for control, texture and shine, then apply (on dry and styled) hair as you wish for more energy, lift and definition. The plastic pump spray make this great for a weekend trip or a beach tote, too! TIP: three video podcasts feature Redken stylists and products--get the scoop on how to re-create some popular runway styles for this season. Watch or download at: http://redken.com/podcasts/ With it's large, slim, black spray bottle, red and white lettering and a red cap and nozzle, Vavoom Extra-Full Freezing Spray by Matrix $14.95 11.3 oz. is suitable for both men and women, but what it does best, in my opinion, is help you deal with updos that need total control and "country-star-big" hair that needs a lift that lasts. The products blasts out of the spray top like it means business (which it does). As a test, I sprayed it on growing-out bangs, to hold them straight back. The product dried, the bangs didn't move from where I had placed them. If you use a little bit, you can re-style fairly easily, but if you use a LOT, you can't re-style, but you'll dance for hours, get blown in a wind gust, even pull a dress over your head, and you hair will still hold tight to the style. For big-night-out, weddings this Summer, and just total control over any style, Vavoom is a must-have. Biolage by Matrix Smoothérpie Smoothing Gel $13.95 5.1 fl. oz gives the frizzies a run for their money, and leaves your hair soft and silky. Housed in a tall, tote-able, flip-top tube, key ingredients include grape seed and avocado micro-oils that smooth and control frizz and fly-aways, but without greasiness or heaviness. Humectants moisturize and help banish dry ends (great for Summer's humidity, but also great to control static in the dry, Winter months). After you shampoo, simply squeeze a small amount of this clear gel into your hands, and smooth it through hair. It helps detangle and smooth hair, too. You don't need a lot, men can use this as easily as women, and we are sure you'll want to tuck this into a beach bag and take it on those Summer weekends. Potion 9 $14.95 5.1 oz. by Sebastian might as well be called "Love Potion #9.) This a leave-in treatment and styling aid has been around for a while, but it is still a "must-have" for every woman (and man) who has stressed-out, damaged hair. It draws raves from devotees who can't live without it, and lots of new fans every year. The melon-scented formula is light and not greasy, yet it is powerful enough to tend to dry, overworked and over-processed hair, making it look better, and stay silky up to three days. It also makes flyaways and dry ends easier to style. The name comes from the fact that there are not one, not two, but nine botanicals in this cream/gel, including: olive oil, babassu oil, sesame seed oil, safflower oil, jojoba seed oil, evening primrose oil, rice bran oil, willow bark extract, and green tea leaf extract. What we like so much about this product is that it really produces nearly instant results...the type you usually only get with a serious treatment that has to stay on anywhere from 5-15 minutes. It's not just effective as a conditioning and styling product and a time saver-- Potion 9 acts as a detangler, too. It's amazing how much one tube of product can do to save your hair, and make you feel good again. This one, delivers.
HAIR HELPERS FOR THE GUYS:
Do you have dad that cares about how his hair looks? Give him some easy-to-use products to protect his style, without spending a fortune, and get some for yourself, too (natch!) Our male reviewers liked DEP X-treme Vertical Glue $3.49 6 oz in a blue and silver flip-top tube for all the "cool" dads and dudes that wear "spike-y" styles. The pearly lotion smells melon-y, but it's no lightweight. This long-lasting, non-flaking formula with sunscreen for added protection and ingredients to keep hair humidity resistant, also is an alcohol free formula, so a guy's hair won't dry out. A quarter-sized dollop on damp or dry hair is all you need to grip hair, and lock in the style like, well, glue! If hold is what he needs, the DEP Styling Gel $3.49 12 oz has the same benefits as the X-treme Vertical Glue( long-lasting, non-flaking formula, sunscreen, humidity resistant, and alcohol free) but the light, orange gel is a texturizer with strong hold to lock a style, any style, in place without making hair look stiff or old-fashioned, or sticky. If you use a lot, you will get a bit of a shine from it as well. Ladies: listen up! This is really not just for the guys. If you need to keep your hair in a tight style so it won't fall into your face, be sure to borrow this one from him. TIP: package these products with a brand new, luxury comb. It sure beats a tie or cheap after shave for Father's Day. We have often reviewed products from popularly-priced (and popular) Fructis by Garnier. The cheerful, lime-green packaging and the effective by inexpensive products makes them faves of everyone from teens to grandma. A product from the Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Collection called Garnier Fructis Style Water-Based Style Wax $3.99 2 oz. is a solid, freshly-fruited clear gel with fruit micro-waxes, that lets you (softly) shape and re-shape your hair, with strong control. It also adds tons of shine, without making hair overly greasy. Apricot, mango and lemon fruit extract offer the hold, and silicone and shine enhancing polymers add shine, while humectants moisturize and condition. For edgy, textures styles, this works well for men and women. Do you love spiky styles? Mohawks? They don't stay up without help, but they do hold their style with Garnier Fructis Style Fiber Gum Putty $3.99 5 oz. Take a bit of this semi-liquid gel in your hands, and rub them together to release little fibers that do your bidding to hold hair in place. For a "surf" of "beachy" look, guys and girls need look no further than Garnier Fructis Style Surf Hair Matte Texture Paste $3.99 5.1 oz. The apricot-colored cream has micro waxes made from mango and apricot seed kernels and bees wax, that offers hold to a style but this time, without extra shine. In fact, this has a mattifying effect. Our reviewers report that you can add the product, and still run your hands through your hair and re-mould it any time you want. The light, fruity scent is pleasant but dissipates quickly, so you won't smell like a fruit basket in public. For men or women, featuring lime green in it's packaging, we think the upscale products from the Barex line of Oloff Beauty will particularly appeal to the guys. These made-in-Italy hair helpers are color-coded with a lime green band to signify "styling powder." Hairgomine Smooth Styling Gel $25.00 5.07 fl. oz is a clear gel in a clear, plastic tube with clear flip top (there's also a 3.05 fl. oz plastic bottle with flip too, too) that styles, conditions, calms, locks out humidity, and protects hair from the sun, without any flaking or build-up. It also adds a nice, believable shine. The no build-up factor is especially important for men and women with very dark hair, because some products can dry and cause flakes that show up looking nasty on darker hair (and who wants to use a styling product that doesn't enhance your look?). Simply apply a small amount of Barex Hairgomine Smooth Styling Gel on towel-dried hair, comb through, and style as usual. Our reviewers also liked the Barex Glossing Pomade $22.00 1.69 fl. oz. and Barex Gum Gum $22.00 1.69 fl. oz feature novel, swivel-up sticks that dispense products through a small hole in the top, making these clean and safe for travel. The Glossing Pomade is a clear, nearly unscented gel that gives moderate hold. Melt a little between your fingers and apply it to damp or wet hair for a slick, wet look. On dry hair, it adds shine and keeps frizzies at bay. Gum Gum is a pearly lotion that shapes, molds, and sculpts hair that is dry, from tame, to wild. It's also create for curl definition, so whether your hair is long and wildly curly like actress Minnie Driver, or just very short and curly on top, this medium hold modeling product will add sculpt-able shine--it's made mainly, for you!
Our Forums/Bulletin Boards just got a make-over. Please check them out, sign up and participate! The Beauty forum is there for you to ask questions, get advice, share ideas, and post your own reviews and suggestions for products you really love. Since the beginning of time, balding men have tried to find ways to create and maintain a healthy head of hair. Although there are treatments, hair transplants, and so forth, not everyone can or should take advantage of them. NIOXIN is a an all natural hair care system designed to reduce excessive hair loss.. It is not a drug and doesn't grow hair, but is supposed to help make the hair you've got look thicker and fuller, and stay healthier. Our reviewer tried the basic NIOXIN Starter Kit $39.99 that includes a Cleanser, Scalp Therapy, and Scalp Treatment. He refused to add a fourth product, one of three intensive conditioning hair masques, stating: "all I ever use on my head is a bar of soap!" Did these products slow down or stop our male reviewer's hair loss? Our reviewer wasn't really sure, although he did say his hair looked thicker, fuller, and was much softer. In fact, Mr. "all I use is soap" kept using the products long after he was required for reporting purposes, so we're guessing that the results he got with the three-step starter kit was well worth his effort! As with every product of this type, we're not suggesting that our reviewer's results are typical, or that yours will be the same, but if you or Dad has thinning hair, and you want to do something about it that won't cost a mint or involve pain, NIOXIN might be just the thing. When a product is fun to use, guys gravitate to it. Pantene Pro-V Texturize Moussing Foam Wax $6.45 5.1 oz comes in a clean, white can with large, black spray nozzle that has a sunburst of slits to dispense a lightweight, whipped foam wax that isn't quite a mousse, not quite a pomade. It smoothes coarse or frizz-prone hair. Although it's supposedly ideal for medium to long hair, our guys liked the way it stay moist and pliable, so they could re-set their style, over and over again without it going limp. Maybe they're not advertising it, but more and more guys are "styling" and they are attracted to easy, affordable products. For definition and shine, new Texturize! Texture & Shine defining Pomade $3.99 1.7 oz. is particularly good at controlling layered, piece-y styles. The apricot colored Sculpting Wax $3.99 1.7 oz. helps create styles with fullness and lift, for the "spike-y" look guys love. Both of these are good for guys or girls, but the price and ease of use will get him totally interested.
FABULOUS FRAGRANCES FOR HIM, AND TO SHARE:
We have already reviewed Blue Agava & Cacao by Jo Malone, but luckily for us, the scent keeps being created in different products. What we liked so much is the fresh, spicy, unique and unisex scent with top notes include bigardia, grapefruit, cardamome, lime oil and red berry; a heart of the agava flower, orchid, geranium, white lily, and salt; and bottom notes of vetiver, musk, and vanilla beans, plus cinnamon and chypre cocoa. There is also a hint of vanilla, leather, even tobacco. Although Jo Malone suggests layering Blue Agava & Cacao with other scents to enhance it's masculine or feminine side, no layering is really required to be seduced by the new, Blue Agave & Cacao Home Candle $65.00. A substantial, clear, glass votive holds a simple, ivory candle with a sophisticated, subtle, white, gold, and black Jo Malone label. The hefty candle will burn clean and fragrant for many days to come. It's the perfect scent for Spring now, and for a beach or summer home, to enchant guests (or to gift a special hostess) in a few months. Guys will also like the Blue Agava Living Cologne $95.00 6.8 fl. oz, which scents the air in your "living space" as well as your skin. Unlike the Blue Agava & Cacao Cologne $90.00 3.4 fl. oz, $50.00 1 fl. oz this fragrance spray is meant to bridge the gap between your body and your environment. It is lighter than the cologne and features the single note of Blue Agava, showing a more floral side more than other products. I can even smell a tiny hint of tequila, not surprising, since the sap of the blue agava flower is the heart of tequila liquor. This would make an impressive gift for a man who likes a gracious home and a multi-tasking scent, or a luxe gift for a hostess, this Summer. *check our March and May 2007 columns for more products with this unique scent.
Another sophisticated, luxury gift set is from Vera Wang. The Vera Wang for Men Father Day Gift Set $70.00 comes in a large, square, matte brown cardboard box decorated with shiny brown stripes. two "perfect partners" are inside: clear glass bottles with silver bands and chunky, dark wooden tops, holding Vera Wang for Men Eau de Toilette Spray 3,4 fl. oz and Vera Wang for Men After Shave Splash 3.4 oz (to soothe and scent the skin after shaving). Nestled into a chocolate brown matte cardboard background, the golden liquid looks rich, warm and inviting. My initial impression of this modern, male scent is that it is fresh and slightly spicy. In fact, this designer scent has green mandarin leaf and crisp yuzu zest (hence, the fresh opening), with a heart of nutmeg, leather and anise (to add the spice). The drydown is rich and warm, but not overpowering. It includes the typically "manly" scents of sandalwood and warm tobacco. Put them together, and you get a spicy/woodsy scent that also has a fresh and sexy core. I would categorize it as being in the classic "oriental" category, but the other elements keep it surprising, tangy and light enough to wear during the warmer months or for everyday wear as well. The designer Vera Wang is known for her gowns, especially wedding attire. This would be a perfect choice for a groom to wear on his wedding day, and of course, it's a great gift idea for a special man, any time.
Last November, when we reviewed Derek Jeter's Driven Eau de Toilette Spray $25.00 2.5 fl. oz by Avon, we got messages from men and women who were fans of the Yankee shortstop telling us how much they loved the fragrance and thanking us for reviewing it. Created by Avon with New York Yankee shortstop, Derek Jeter, this is a sexy, sophisticated, substantial scent with top notes of crushed leaves, black pepper, chilled grapefruit, coriander seeds, and spicy wormwood (for a spicy feel). Light and fresh middle notes include fresh rhubarb, iced lavender, cardamom, and American spearmint. Some novel ingredients such as aquatic bamboo, Pacific driftwood, wengue wood, snow musk, and more traditional oakmoss are the bottom notes, that give the scent a modern, and all-male, feeling. Your special man will like the modern, turquoise glass bottle in the shape of a squared-off pyramid, with silvery top and chic, bold graphics. Now, there are four new (and amazingly inexpensive) products, scented with Driven. The silvery tubes with grey flip tops are masculine and attractive. The Oil Control Face Wash $9.50 4.2 fl. oz is a refreshing, cleansing gel that removes excess oil from his face, without drying it out (and if your guy refuses to moisturize, this is definitely important). The gel penetrates pores to thwart blackheads and acne pimples, leaving nothing behind but a tingly feel, and clean skin. Foaming Face Scrub $9.50 4.2 fl. oz helps set up his skin and beard for a close shave, while it cleanses, exfoliates dull, dry skin, and removes impurities (with tiny scrubbing grains). It also helps to remove excess oil and deep-clean pores. For guys who are "squeamish" about skincare, this is perfect--a multi-tasking facial cleanser/exfoliator/beard prep that is easy, simple, and pleasant to use, leaving a hint of Driven scent. If he does moisturize, Driven Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 $15.00 1.7 fl. oz has a wide-mouth pump that dispenses a hypo-allergenic (suitable for sensitive skin) formula that provides broad spectrum SPF 15 protection, along with all day moisturizing bennies. The favorite product, however, was the Shave Gel $6.00 5 fl. oz. It won raves from our male reviewers for it's scent, smoothness, and effective shave. Amazingly, the hypoallergenic formula reactivates itself with water, and creative a soft "cushion" for his razor to glide over, protecting again nicks and cuts. Good for all skin types, and a great gift, even if you are on a budget (pair it with a new razor).
SPECIAL EVENT AND SPRING-INTO-SUMMER MAKEUP:
Bronze Rocks, literally and figuratively, in a beautiful, new collection (of the same name) offering glowing glamour on a budget, from L'Oreal Paris. For Summer, for eyes, a lovely collection of limited edition earthy toned-quads are a perfect choice day or evening. The Infinité Long-Wearing Silky Powder Shadow Quads $8.95 are pretty, wearable colors, most of them quite intense (no need to add more than one application) in flattering tones that are great for palefaces and sun-worshippers, alike. We love the clear, round, Lucite compacts that let you see the colors without guessing. Layer, mix, or match colors to create different effects--the silky powder is a surprise a it is so smooth and creamy. It slides on easily, leaving intense color in a cream to powder formula that sticks to your lids, and lasts. We tried "Sunlit Sands," featuring the colors of the desert, but there's also "Primitive Bronze," and "Golden Canyon" (greens, browns).
There is nothing I love more than a great makeup compact, but the Sephora Summer Blockbuster Palette By Sephora is beyond great, it's glorious--true makeup gold for face in a case fans. There are a dazzling 48 little rectangles of pressed eye shadow and lipstick colors, in every type of formula from matte to glitter. Pull the top layer aside (it slides right and left) and six large rectangles of powder blush for color, contour and highlighting, are revealed, along with two double-ended sponge-tipped shadow applicators, and mini-sized blush and lip brushes. The excitement! The choices! Some of the colors are sheer, some are more intensely pigmented. You'll definitely have a lot of fun experimenting and figuring out which ones work best for you. With 54 color choices, the "fun" is sure to last a long, long time. This is the perfect pick-me-up for end of Spring, beginning of Summer, and a great hostess gift as well. Get a couple...they'll be more precious than diamonds to a makeup fan! Bronzers are no longer a novelty, but a "must-have" for anyone who wants the look of the sun, without the danger of sunbathing. For a heavy-duty glow, FACE Stockholm Bronzer $26.00 #3 gives you a believable, deep, rich, bronzed tone in an instant. All you need is a soft, fluffy brush to dust a "touch of sun" on cheeks, forehead, or anywhere you want. This velvety, super-fine powder has very little glitter in it, so it looks like that tan really could be yours, and not from a chic, square, mirrored compact. We think it's instant gratification! If you do want a bit of shimmery shine, FACE Stockholm Crème Blush $21.00 in "Hudson" will make the look come alive. This super sheer, super smooth gel slides on your face and literally melts right where you blend it, so you get a hit of very natural color. Sure, you can add more if you want, but on pale skin, the primarily peachy wash make complexions pop, and added a subtle glow to golden skin as well. Do you love lip gloss? You're in for a super-treat: Estee Lauder has streamlined their gorgeous, glamorous, Pure Color Gloss and Pure Color Crystal Gloss $18.00/each to add more excitement to your lip gloss wardrobe, just in time for special events, and Summer fun. For starters, the packaging has slimmed down for a more elegant look, but you still get an elegant, gold-topped case with gold "EL" initial logo, with a wanded, sponge, top and clear, squared off tube bottom that lets you see the color without guessing. Inside, a "lip-friendly," silky, moisturizing gloss gives you a patent-leather shine along with color of varying intensities, that stays put, but doesn't feel tacky or heavy. With continued use, these glosses are actually good for your lips, making them smoother, and helping to avoid Summer chapping and flakes (so use it often, ladies)! The Pure Color Gloss provides long-lasting, anti-"bleed", medium to full coverage with super-patent leather shine. "Cranberry," for example, covered our lips completely with a deep, va-va-va-voom, patent leather red shine that wouldn't be out of place in a sexy, Robert Palmer video (or at your next special event). There are twelve shades in all, including the more demure "Nude Rose" which we liked for everyday pink lips, and "Clear" (use this high-wattage gloss over any lipstick and make it sizzle! For even more glam, even when there's no sunlight to pick up the shimmer, Pure Color Crystal Gloss is my personal favorite. Even under artificial light, the silky, long-wearing formula (along with sheer color coverage and multi-dimensional pearl effects) make your lips literally glimmer with wet, kiss-me-now allure. In natural sunlight, you're going to get approving looks, for sure. There are another dozen colors of this awesome gloss. I mixed Pure Color Gloss in "Nude Rose" with Pure Color Crystal Gloss in "Light Copper" for the most gorgeous, glimmery, wear-with-everything peachy-nude, ever, but every single one of the shimmery shades worn solo or as a top coat, will be your favorite (in other words, you can't choose just one). These launched just last month. They are just a little splurge, but they have maxi-impact, so I'm making them a "must-have" glam item for June. Launched last month is the very nifty, Docteur Glamour $15.00 by Bourjois. The brightly colored shades-of-pink compacts, with silvery band and whimsical silver ball on top make it cute to use, but the "doc" is more than just a cute compact with six sexy lip colors for Summer. Docteur Glamour's formula has just the right stuff to soothe, smooth, color and coddle lips: veggie oils, karite nut butter (known for it's restoring and soothing properties) and mango butter (a fruit extract that melts at skin temperature and provides ultra-nourishment for dry lips). A blend of synthetic waxes and beeswax make the product glide over bumps and cracks, and a blend of silicon micro-beads and synthetic polymers gives a shine to your lips, too. Mother of pearl makes lips look fuller and adds a bit of reflective glimmer, to make less than lovely lips look attractive and kissable. We liked the way this lipstick felt, and even better, your lips will improve the more you use it. The colors are medium-intense. Try "Lilas Ausculté," a hot pink with a hint of mauve, or "Fuschia O Bobo," an even deeper, hotter, brighter pink. For warm-toned complexions we recommend "Bruique Secouriste," a lovely, intense, browned rose, and Praline Soigné a soft nude. LOVE it! In our May 2006 "What Works" column, we raved about Bon Baisers de Paris $15.00 by Bourjois. The slim, take-anywhere, foam-tipped "pen" looks and acts like a marker, but it's a water-based ink lip stain that's easy to "draw" a thin, even coat on your lips. The subtle colors dry quickly, with enough color for your lips to look sophisticated, but not overdone. Although there still aren't any new color, (sigh!) Pêche Passion is a semi-bright orange that brightens palefaces and flatters sun-worshippers alike. For portability and flexibility, we're recommending Bon Baisers de Paris again this Summer.
Wet n Wild's Pout Protector with SPF 15 $2.99 is a spiffy lip balm with much more than just nourishment for lips. For starters, you can choose from six, saturated tints in in blush, pink, bronze, caramel, plum or cranberry that protect your lips from the sun with SPF 15, but there's more: this silky balm is infused with a hefty dose of peppermint, to add a refreshing tingle to lips as it soothes, protects, and conditions. The slim, swivel-up mini-sized stick, makes it the perfect partner for your purse now, your beach bag later on this season. It is so inexpensive, you'll wonder how Wet n Wild can do this simple balm so well...but don't ponder...just purchase them! We love products that give back--it's an important consideration when you're choosing items for yourself, and for gifts. PeaceKeeper was founded by a political activist, and what makes her company unique is that ;all profits, after taxes, are used to support women's health advocacy and human rights issues. PeaceKeeper may support women's issues, but they've just created their first unisex product: the Eco Sensual Lip Balm $3.19. This little swivel up stick is 100% vegan, and 73% organic. It's made healing and soothing ingredients such as palm, jojoba, coconut, and virgin spearmint, plus antioxidant rosemary extract, grapeseed oil, and vitamin C. There is no color, no shine, but there is lots of silky moisture, and slightly stimulating minty "zing." Guys will love this balm because they clear packaging and white and green label does not scream "girly." More importantly, it is a lip balm that does the job well: soothe and hydrate parched lips. For Father's Day, tuck this one into the bow of whatever gift you're giving, Dad is sure to appreciate it (then, use it when he's not looking!). This is a "must-have" for the family beach bag. Another natural lip balm Dad (and everyone else) is sure to love, is the Lifeguard's Choice Weatherproofing Lip Balm for Sun & Snow $3.00 by Burt's Bees. The cheerful yellow and red, swivel-up stick is a beeswax lip balm, but it also has titanium dioxide for extra protection from the sun. Guys will also like it's multi-tasking abilities: use it as a natural sun protection on cheeks, nose, ears, etc. What's in it? Good stuff, such as: beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), lanolin, titanium dioxide, peppermint oil, comfrey root extract, rosemary extract. *watch our JULY/AUGUST column for reviews of more Burt's Bees products.
To view previous "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics, and Fashion Review columns, visit the What Works Archives When I'm on the go, especially in the Summer, I want great looking nails, but I want them in a hurry. This season I'll be adding four products from the fabulous Creative Nail Design to my at-home manicure that streamline it: Super Shiney $5.95 1/2 fl. oz is a clear, high-gloss top coat that not only "glazes" your color, it adds a super-hard, chip-resistant, non-fading protection and UV absorbers that help to prevent yellowing and brittleness. If you're going to take the time to do a manicure, you might as well multi-task and do it right. using Super Shiney helps your nails look better and keeps your efforts looking better, longer. TIP: if your manicure is still in good shape but has "dulled," give it new life with a coat of Super Shiney. I'm also impatient, so I am using Air Dry $5.95 1/2 fl. oz to seal my fresh polish and give it a protective, non-yellowing barrier between my nails and everything else out there. Your polish will "set" just enough in a few minutes to let you get out, and get going. SolarSpeed Spray 4 fl. oz is another "must-have" for women who do their own manicures and pedicures. It not only sets polish quickly and helps to hydrate your cuticles, it also adds a satiny finish to your skin!! I like the nice pump spray that covers nails nicely, without making a mess all around the area. And, if you don't feel like bending down to your toes, SolarSpeed Spray lets you deal with toenails, easily. If you nick or scratch up that manicure, however, Girlfriend Buffer $14.95/4 pcs is an extra thick, padded buffer that can gently buff out the scratch or nick (who would have thought this was possible...but it is!). Use the gray side tiny nicks, the white side for deeper scratches.. Then, apply a thin coat of your same nail color of the entire nail, and it will be "smooth sailing" again! The Girlfriend Buffer might also be a guy's choice as well, to create well-groomed, natural nails with a natural sheen. Use with oil, if you wish. Perfect for oil buffing. Ladies: if you're the "girlfriend," be sure to share!
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 *special thanks this
column to M.C., Bob R., Dave D. and Joyce P
|
To view previous "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics, and Fashion Review columns, visit the What Works Archives
GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR DADS, GRADS (AND YOU, OF COURSE!):
Do you know a Dad-on-the-run? Are you that guy, yourself? Essencia Aromatics has a trio of aromatherapy treats in their Gentleman's Travel Pack $20.00 to keep your skin smooth, soft, and safe. Inside a clear, zippered travel pouch is a flip-top clear plastic bottle of Lavender Mint Shaving Syrup 2.4 oz. The smell of mint is invigorating, but there's more to it than just a nifty scent. This product has a thick, syrupy texture that uses a combo of lavender and spearmint essential oil to cool the skin and provide a close, gentle shave. Another nifty product in a clear, plastic spray bottle is the Sandalwood After Shave Skin Saver 2.0 oz. A light blend of sandalwood essential oil, plus aloe vera and witch hazel work gently together to provide antiseptic bennies to help heal irritated skin, as well as hydrate, cool, and refresh. This is a great product for guys to use on the face if there's been too much sun or wind exposure or whenever skin has been irritated. Sandalwood is also a feature in the Sandalwood Moisture Therapy with SPF 15 2.2 oz. a super-rich and thick moisturizer that has a blend of sandalwood, lime and vanilla, combined with mango butter and coconut and sweet almond oils, the slightly spicy and citrus scent is so sexy guys will be motivated to use it, regardless of the fact that is also protects skin with SPF 15 and is a great moisturizer. The quality and performance of these products, along with their "pleasure" aspects, make this a must-have for every guy this season, and a great gift everyone.
Tell Dad how special he is in words as well as with a great gift. Not Soap, Radio's Say it With Suds $10-$12.00 comes in 18 formulas of all natural, shea nut oil-enriched, vegan body cleansers. It's the label on the bottle that makes a body product into the cleverest greeting card, ever! Each label in the collection says something different--for father's day there's a blue and white label with a "Tie" graphic with all sorts of kudos for Dad such as "You're the greatest dad," "Perfect pop," Hip and handsome..."). Every time that special man picks up the bottle he'll be reminded how much you adore him! This particular bottle (for dad) is scented with "Seaspray," a very light, slightly citrus scent in a light, golden-tinted soap. What a clever way to tell someone you care! Other versions are for Moms, babysitters, sisters, brides, friends, teachers...even one for your dog! We don't know how many metrosexual men go out on their own and purchase an entire line of Spa Pedicure products, but we're willing to bet that if you purchase them and then "do the honors," your special man will feel just like a king! Creative Nail Design has a line of products for both men and women. The SpaPedicure Collection $59.95 has four luxe products in a burlap tote. They have simple, camel-colored tins or clear tubes with flip caps, with "earthy" looking labels in subdued tones of rose, camel, mint green, and soft blue. Inspired by the healing properties of Arizona's Sedona Desert, essential oils with minerals, clay, and natural exfoliants help to soothe, hydrate, exfoliate, and restore his feet, and your feet. Start with the Foot Clean (6.5 oz). I love this tin of aromatic crystals! The fizzy, mineral soak cleanses, softens and deodorizes hot, tired, overworked feet, with calendula flower, sandalwood oil, amyris balsamifera oil, and malachite. TIP: The minty/herbal crystals invigorate your body and your spirit as you breathe them in. If you like, you can use this generous supply (it comes with a measuring spoon) and soak your entire body...ahhh! Follow with a product just for the feet: a FootBuff that seriously removes dry, flaky skin. This warming, water-activated foot scrub has alpha hydroxy acids (the same used in some facial peels) and raw cane sugar to smooth that rough skin. However, a blend of essential oils including macadamia seed oil and grape seek oil, help to soften as well. Evening primrose and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection. Grapefruit, lavender and a lively peppermint are so uplifting and herbally, you'll feel good just using it. A product we know about more for faces than feet, is the FootMask. This super-moisturizing, adobe-colored mask has volcanic clay and a blend of protective and hydrating ingredients to condition and protect your precious feet. Apply a thin dollop to your feet and ankles, cover with a towel, exchange loving glances (or kisses) for 3-4 minutes, and your man will have softer, nicer, better smelling feet (lemon, patchouli and clove bud give a wonder scent to the mask). The icing on the cake is the Foot Rub. moisturizing ceramides 3 complex with allantoin and witch hazel extract soothe skin, while Smithsonite extract protects it, and evening promise oil and grape seed extract provide antioxidant protection. There's the slightest exotic/floral scent to this, provided by davana oil from India, natural orange, ginger, and davana oils. Be sure to add a CreativeSpa Callus Smoother to your gift. You are the real gift, but his well groomed, nicely-scented, non-scratchy feet next to yours in bed will be a reward for both of you. TIP: this makes a great host or hostess gift, too.
Is Dad someone who likes to garden? Get him a set of new and nifty hand-care products from Le Couvent Des Minimes. Gardeners Hand Healer $15.00 2.6 oz. is a thick, rich cream that combines 20% high grade shea butter with seven therapeutic botanicals to soothe, smooth, and heal. It's easily absorbed, and makes overworked hands feel better, instantly. Gardener's Hand Healer Fortifying Nail and Cuticle Salve $9.00 0.5 oz has even more moisturizing and soothing shea butter (30%) plus myrrh essential oil and Apricot kernel oil, to strengthen and condition cuticles and nails. Used together, these products offer the type of pampering that anyone who works with his (or her) hands, needs to keep them healthy and attractive--at a value price! The light, slightly herbal scent of verbena and lemon is as appealing to the guys, and to the ladies. Ditto, the silvery tubes in deep green boxes with yellow lettering that remind us of other (more expensive but not necessarily more effective) "apothecary" type lines. Package these with some new gardening tools, or a "sun-protecting" hat for Dad! These new formulas have been created to complement the original Gardener's Hand Healer, created originally back in the 1880's by the sisters of the Minimes Convent in Provence. We think they're a "find."
Poo-Pourri is more of a boon for the entire family than just a unique gift (gag or not) for Dad, but Poo-Pourri $12.95 4 oz, $8.95 2oz does something for the bathroom that's novel, and necessary: it removes odors from the bathroom coming in, and going out! Poo-Pourri is a simple liquid that you spray (4-6 spritzes) onto the surface of the water in the toilet bowl before you sit on it. If you are traveling, or use a shared bathroom, this means your own personal experience is enhanced by removing existing odors with the scent of all natural oils of bergamot, lemongrass and grapefruit. However, Poo-Pourri doesn't stop there: it has an odor neutralizer that attaches to any "mal-odor" you might create (someone else is going to be using that "throne" after you). It dissolves it so the next person won't have to deal with what you leave behind (no pun intended). The 2 oz spray bottle is small enough for travel, but it gives up to 100 applications. A chunky, silver chain with a silver initial "P" adds a bit of humor to the presentation. We think this makes a lighthearted gift for a Dad with a sense of humor (package with a book of bathroom jokes, or some bathroom tunes). If you use a shared bathroom, it's definitely not a laughing matter, better get a bottle for yourself, too.
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Aquafresh White Trays $34.99/7-day supply whiten teeth in just seven applications, with results in as little as three. Now, you don't have to be a millionaire, or a celebrity to enjoy whiter teeth! Designed by cosmetic dentists, the Aquafresh White Trays come in paired packets of upper and lower trays, containing a pleasant, peppermint-y gel. The trays are soft and so flexible they'll fit most mouths comfortably, but you can't really carry on a conversation with both trays inserted. Allow 30-45 minutes to work. Another plus with these trays is that they are disposable, so there's no "icck" factor when you remove them. Simply toss them in the trash, and get a fresh set for the next day! After one application of just 30 minutes I saw an immediate improvement. Many men might not ever think of doing this little, "cosmetic" improvement on their own. That's why we think a box of Aquafresh White Trays is a gift that Dad will appreciate, and use. * For every box of Aquafresh White Trays purchased now through August 31, 2007 $1 will be donated to Smiles for Success, a charity that helps women transitioning from welfare to the workforce. Additionally, $1 will be donated for every entrant into a sweepstakes at www.HowMuchIsThisSmileWorth.com to meet America Ferrera on the set of Ugly Betty in Hollywood! Fruit Chillers $2.59/4 pack by Del Monte may not be the ultimate gift, but men, women and children will love these healthy, frozen treats that are fun to eat, and provide health bennies, too. These snacks start life on your grocery shelf in the canned fruit isle, but they're no dull, lifeless, fruit cocktail! Pop them in the freezer overnight, and each little plastic cup becomes a super-smooth sorbet made with real fruit and containing 100% daily value of Vitamin C. There are three flavor combos: "Artic Strawberry, Polar Raspberry, and Glacial Mango." There is no fat or artificial flavoring. These are nicely sweet, but "kiddie' style" sugary. At 190 calories per cup, they're not completely free of calories, but they're a lot less caloric than ice cream, and the "body bennies" make it ok to treat yourself. There are plenty of ways to use these besides eating them right out of the cup (not a bad thing to do, mind you). For example, mix a cup of low-fat vanilla or plain yogurt into a 4-pack of Del Monte Fruit Chillers for a smoothie. We used ours in more "adult" drinks (with alcohol and added ice), or re-freeze into cups or popsicle molds for the entire family--they're a refreshing pick-me-up any time, and also a perfect weekend party partner. Before you wear that bare dress, or try creating a faux tan, make sure you skin is exfoliated, so it looks smooth and glowing--especially if that skin is on your face. Zia Ultimate Exfoliant $29.95 2 fl. oz is good for all skin types. It features a combo of gentle papaya enzymes and natural alpha hydroxy acids that dissolve old skin cells and dry patches while helping to clear your pores, in just two minutes. Aloe vera and antioxidant vitamins nurture skin, while lemon, lime and raw sugar cane smooth it out and help to accelerate new cell production. Green papaya concentrate is a "plunger" that clears out the old cells and helps to clarify your complexion, while Vitamins E and E help keep skin youthful and promote healing. I tried this one personally. Exfoliators often tend to be too harsh for my sensitive skin, and I worried that the papaya in this product (papaya is a very effective exfoliant), might be too harsh. I am happy to report that my skin felt soft and looked brighter, but it wasn't red, itchy or dry. I give it two "Advice Sisters" thumbs up!
BEST-OF-THE-BEST BATH & BODY PRODUCTS FOR JUNE:
Scrub & Baume $17.00 by Bourjois is not an exfoliator for the body, but it is a clever multi-tasker that we know women will love, and we think will appeal to men, too. A tube-with-brush provides lips with a non-shiny lip balm that is amazingly silky and nourishing, and does it's "thing" for up to 8 hours. But there's more to this slim tube of SOS for chapped lips than meets the eye: in the top, there's a tiny brush with tiny plastic bristles that exfoliate all those nasty little "chappies" from your lips before you apply the balm. Simply soak a cotton pad in plain water and place it on your lips for 30 seconds to loosen the dry skin, then "scrub" gently with the little plastic exfoliator brush. Apply the balm, and you'll be amazed at how smooth and soft even badly-parched lips look and feel! The press information calls the color of the balm "rosy beige" but honestly, if there's color in it but is so sheer, it's nearly imperceptible, except for the slight sheen that makes lips look sexy and kissable, not colored. Guys want to look their best, and this product will help them do it without a bit of muss or fuss. However, if you do crave color, using this product first will make any lip color or gloss look smoother and last longer. This is a "must-have" for home, for purse, for travel. Before you wear that bare dress, or try creating a faux tan, make sure you skin is exfoliated, so it looks smooth and glowing--especially if that skin is on your face. Zia Ultimate Exfoliant $29.95 2 fl. oz is good for all skin types. It features a combo of gentle papaya enzymes and natural alpha hydroxy acids that dissolve old skin cells and dry patches while helping to clear your pores, in just two minutes. Aloe vera and antioxidant vitamins nurture skin, while lemon, lime and raw sugar cane smooth it out and help to accelerate new cell production. Green papaya concentrate is a "plunger" that clears out the old cells and helps to clarify your complexion, while Vitamins E and E help keep skin youthful and promote healing. I tried this one personally. Exfoliators often tend to be too harsh for my sensitive skin, and I worried that the papaya in this product (papaya is a very effective exfoliant), might be too harsh. I am happy to report that my skin felt soft and looked brighter, but it wasn't red, itchy or dry. I give it two "Advice Sisters" thumbs up! Do you dream of getting a jump on Summer tanning, and having a slim, toned body as well? Your dream may be about to come true! Tan Perfector Smoothing Scrub $35.00 5 fl. oz by Lancaster, is an exfoliator, and the least complicated to explain, first step in a 4-step Lancaster system to help you get a great tan, smooth skin, and slim and tone your body! The pleasant, orange gel has tiny beads of apricot kernel that help to exfoliate skin for tanning and self-tanners, while argan and sweet almond oil soften and smooth it. If you're using the entire Lancaster Slimming system, exfoliation also helps prime skin for the action of the slimming agents. Step 1 of the system is Celluli-Breaker Tan Stimulator $35.00 6.7 fl. oz is a non-greasy, pleasant-to-use, anti-cellulite cream that you use twice a day to stimulate the tanning process and help reduce cellulite. If it sounds too good to be true, listen up: a concentrated complex of green coffee and yerba maté extracts work to help prevent fat accumulation while breaking down and eliminating existing fat. At the same time, pre-tanning bennies are delivered by "meditan," and a patented tan activator complex that helps to initiate the tanning process, faster (which means you get results with less time baking in the sun). To help protect your skin prior to sun exposure, another patented complex "floods" your skin with antioxidants, that help to neutralize free radicals responsible for visible signs of premature aging. Which brings us to Step 2: the Celluli-Burner Tan Boosters SPF 8 or SPF 15 $35.00/each 5 fl. oz. These products include the core active slimming complex, plus other complexes containing ingredients that work in the sun, to help to further tone skin. Tanning is boosted more with the Tan activator complex, and SPF of 8 or 15 won't keep you from burning too long, but then again, when you're using these products you don't need to stay in the sun as long as with other products, to start tanning. Step 3 is the refreshing cream of the Celluli-Drainer Tan Prolonger $35.00 6.7 fl. oz. The extract of the floral bud of a caper tree gives it soothing properties that help with sunburn (we hope you haven't baked so long you have any) and prickly-pear cactus, helps eliminate toxins and reduce water retention. Yes, it also has the same tanning acceleration and slimming properties as the other products in the system. TIP: You also patience, and you need to use the entire system (used properly) at least twice a day and for approximately 4 weeks to see the type of results you dream about. We could not use the products long enough to say if you'll get the amazing, long term skin hydration of 75% promised by the press literature, or that your body will be super-toned and golden, but we do think these have promise. Try these yourself to see how they perform with your unique body chemistry (for $175.00 you can try them all -- and that's less than many one-time salon cellulite treatments) *watch our column next month for more Lancaster sun products!
SKIN SAVERS FOR MEN, AND FOR BOTH OF YOU:
Dior products are luxurious, effective, and offer a bit of the "wow" factor for those who know quality. Dior Homme Dermo System just launched in April, brings high quality, luxury skin care products developed just for men. This line of products was specifically developed to preserve a man's youthful appearance, with cutting-edge products that are based on two active, patented ingredients: B-Ecdysone and Vitamin E Phophate. The latter is a powerful, anti-free-radical agent that helps protect his skin cells with a continuous, rejuvenating action that helps soothe his skin, and protect it against environmental stresses. The former has an immediate, resurfacing action that has the ability to heal skin microlesions and improve cell regeneration. In other words, it helps the skin look smooth, better-tones, and stronger, with a finer texture. Father's Day is the perfect time to introduce a man to quality skin care, and there are four products: a hydrating toner, serum, moisturizer and an eye cream, nicely packaged. If you think you can only get him to try one product, or your budget doesn't allow for the entire system, we suggest the Dior Homme Soothing Moisturizing Lotion $40.00 3.4 fl. oz. a silver and white box with black lettering that looks masculine, expensive, and attractive, as does the eye catching, heavy, ribbed, chunky column of glass with square white top and large black pump that broadcasts "elegant." But it is the product inside that is most important, and this one soothes and moisturizes his skin, and is great after shaving. Natural alpha-bisabolol soothes and calms the skin, so it feels softer and more hydrated in one step. In case he asks, alpha-bisabolol is the main ingredient of the medical plant camomile (Matricaria chamomile), while has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years in anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-bacterial and anti-mycotic products. Let it work it's magic on your main man, too. The Smoothing Eye Revitalizing Eye Serum $45.00 .06 fl. oz. is a sure-fire winner, too, Dispensed in an easy to deal with, click-it-type pen, this has Matrixyl (an effective wrinkle reducer) and Eyeseril (a skin firmer) which do what you'd expect: work to smooth and relax skin around his eyes, firming it, and reducing fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. Why should any man look old and tired, especially when there are effective products on the market that make it easy to combat signs of aging? Once he sees how well it works, he won't want to stop using it. Father's Day is the perfect time to pamper a hard-working man who maybe hasn't given a lot of attention to his skin and shaving routine. A perfect way to get him thinking about taking care of his skin, is with a lightly scented, luxury Shave Cream $15.00 6 oz by Anthony Logistics. These are not just any "ho-hum" shaving products: they're aromatherapy products that give a very pampering, close shave, with aloe, vitamins and squaline (to promote a smooth shave), plus natural moisturizing oils to soften and lubricate for a close, comfortable, shave. The product comes in convenient, plastic, flip-top tubes color-coded to their specific scent in blue, yellow, orange or green. Our reviewers loved them all: "Courage" (amber spice) contains Sicilian citrus oil, rosemary oil, incense and amber), "Energy" (cardamom zest) has cardamom, Brazilian, lavandin, musks and hone, and "Strength" (fresh incense) features sage oil, juniper oil, lavandin and white musk, and my favorite is Spirit" (a green spice) with basil, cinnamon, geranium, sandalwood and leather. These scents apparently coordinate with Body Sprays, which we didn't review. For a more luxe gift, add a bottle of Ingrown Hair Treatment $25.00 2.5 oz. Dad may never have realized (until now, thanks to you) that there is no reason to suffer with ingrown hairs. The gray, pump-top bottle dispenses a complex blend of three acids (glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and phytic acid, to be specific) that open pores, detoxify, and dissolve dead skin cells, while killing bacteria and revealing brighter skin. Once trapped beard hairs are released, they can be removed. The product also has pentavitin, a humectant that helps reduce dryness and shaving irritation. The lightly scented (with willowherb extract and lavender oil) calms and soothes. This might be the best gift you've ever given dad...or yourself. Ladies, if you suffer from ingrown hairs on le |
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What They're
Saying About
June has
always been my favorite month. It is the month of new beginnings.
Father's Day is also in June (that's my Dad in the photo). Whether
they'll admit it or not, guys of all ages are "getting it" when
it comes to the benefits of "beauty" products. They want what
helps
them look great and feel great. In this column, we are focusing on
products guys will like. We also are focusing on products to keep you
sun-safe (watch for more sun-protection products next month, in our
double, What Works column). June is also a month for weddings and
graduations, so check out our special event makeup, and other items to
transition from Spring into Summer. We have new
Relish
sun care products are infused with natural ingredients such as
Japanese green tea, chamomile, botanical extracts and essential
anti-oxidants (to fight the signs of aging. Relish SPF 30
$23.00 4 oz comes in a rounded, slim, white plastic bottle with
cheerful yellow accents, and a large white flip cap. It provides
moisturizing and skin revitalizing bennies (courtesy of ginko
biloba, ginseng, and licorice extracts) along with serious UVA/UVB sun
protection, with zinc oxide. Antioxidant Japanese green tea extract and
Vitamin E protect your skin from free radical damage while preventing
redness, rough skin and peeling. This creamy lotion is fragrance free
and light enough for oily skin. It is formulated for your face, but that
doesn't mean you can't also use it on your body as well. Focus on your
lips, with the perfectly portable, Lip & Face Protector Vitamin E &
Aloe SPF 15 $12.50, which comes in solid stick form (in a
nice-looking, nearly clear-yellow plastic "dial up" tube-photo) packed with
good-for-your-lips Vitamin E, Aloe, Chamomile, Green Tea and Zinc Oxide.
It helps prevent chapping, dryness, peeling, lip lines, and of course,
provides SPF 15 protection. From kids to grandma, there is no time like
the present to protect the areas of your body that are constantly
exposed to the sun. This one will leave a slight shimmer, but more
importantly, it'll do your lips a world of good, at a very affordable
price. 
If you're going to give a luxury gift of fragrance, part of the
allure is the presentation. The Marc Jacobs for Men Father's Day Gift
Set $68.00 arrives in an impressively large, shiny black cardboard
box with a simple, fabric label featuring the "Marc Jacobs"
name in simple, white letters. Inside, a black flocked molded inner
holder has three "must-have" fragranced products: Marc Jacobs Men
After Shave Gel and Hair and Body Shampoo $50.00 each/3/4
oz. and a 2.5 fl. oz Eau de Toilette Spray ($50.00 2.5 Fl. Oz.
$64.00 4.2 Fl. Oz). Our male reviewers loved the cool, soothing gel
formula of the Shave Gel, reporting that it gave them a good,
close shave, and made a routine task, more pleasant. They also had great
things to say about the Hair and Body Shampoo, and liked the way
it multi-tasked, while leaving hair and skin lightly scented with this
sexy fragrance. Speaking of which, the Eau de Toilette
comes in a substantial "chunk" of clear glass that feels wonderful to
hold and looks nice on a dresser. The masculine scent is modern,
woodsy--it smells recognizably of woods, but there's also something
else...a hint of lemongrass here, a whiff of something fresh, there?
In fact, the top notes are a combo of Italian bergamot, cypress, and
spicy cumin, cardamom and ginger, mixed with a heart of clear, watery
fig leaves, and florals such as rose de mai and cyclamen, that give it a
softness that is still, "male" in character. The bottom notes, give it
that familiar, sexy guy scent: earthy tonka bean and cedarwood, with
nirvanolide musk and Provence fig, plus a bit of Indonesian patchouli
and moss to give it a sensual vibe. Still, it's not heavy, just
significant, and it dries down to a light, slightly spicy scent that you
want to get close to. It's "yummy" in the type of way you want to
snuggle up just a bit closer to your special guy in his tweed jacket on
a chilly day. As with many luxurious scents, this one is a great sample
of the perfumer's art. It is sophisticated, adjusting itself to each
individual wearer and therefore hard to categorize (although the press
literature calls it "green woody:). It is the scent of a man who knows
his power. Wear it, and literally feel more self-assured! This is
the perfect Father's Day gift as it will appeal to men of every
age.
Island Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray $45.00 3.4 fl. oz by
Nautica comes in a weighty, rounded triangular bottle with
significant-looking silver and ice-blue cap , just a shade darker than
the beautiful, very light sea-blue fragrance, inside. It is
supposed to be reminiscent of a full sail. In any case, there's nothing
skimpy or girly about this eye-catching, curved glass bottle, or the
sexy, masculine, Summer-worthy scent inside. Fresh top notes of ocean
marine are immediately evident, along with invigorating lemon, black
pepper, Italian Bergamot, and honeydew melon. Middle notes are floral,
but manly: lavender, wild jasmine and purple iris. The drydown is
sensual cedarwood, musk and sandalwood. What we like so much about this
fragrance is that it adds that "certain something" to a man, enhancing
his personal aura, but without screaming: "I'm wearing fragrance." The
wearer will smell fresh, and good, and a bit sexy, but subtly. It's the
perfect scent for every day, for all types of guys, of all ages.
Nautica Island Voyage will remind you of those happy moments spent by the
sea, on the water, on lush Caribbean islands, or just enjoying life in
the great outdoors. It makes a perfect Father's Day gift and a nice gift
for a new graduate.
The 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette
$52.00 by Dior "#440 Sunset Cafe" is the perfect Summer
partner for all your eye looks, day and evening. New and beautiful,
five complementary shades are coordinated, so you can use just one
color, two, three, four, or all five. I love the presentation that
screams "luxury": a shiny blue and silver box, containing a large,
square, blue, mirrored plastic palette housed in it's own velvet travel
bag. The colors remind me of a tropical sunset: gorgeous, mostly
shimmery and one matte, bronzed and coppery tones that compliment
a tan, or warm up a pale complexion. Two, dual-ended mini-sponge-tipped
wands with a silver "DIOR" band, flank either side of the compact,
making it easy to define and highlight, or soften and blend the colors
as you wish. Long-wearing, velvety powders are so easy to mix, match
layer, contour and line. This one is glam, gorgeous, a great gift.
If you want all eyes on you, however, treat yourself too, and make your Summer just a bit more beautiful. Indulge...it's
the type of compact you'll use all the time. You'll love the way
great-looking eye makeup helps your face, glow, reflecting Summer's
warmth. We call this an investment worth making, and a "must-have" this month.
There's nothing better than using a coordinated kit of colors to get
a Summer glow worth showing off. Get your glow-on, literally,
without baking in the sun, with the Sun Kissed Face Palette $48.00
by Bobbi Brown from her beachy-bronze and pink color
collection of the same name. Bobbi Brown's shiny black mirrored
signature compact holds five beach-inspired essentials for eyes, lip and
face. We love the face that Bobbi Brown added two shades of super-sheer,
silky, luxe, SPF 15 Lip Shine, in two exclusive, new shades to keep your
lips safer from the sun's damaging rays: "Bikini Pink" a clear,
medium, pink, and "Bronzed Pink" a shimmery nude with flecks of gold and
copper. Both add shine and just the merest hint of
"better-than-bare" to pale and deeper complexions. A large rectangle of
"Bahama Brown" blush has a hint of trendy plum, for a new take on
tan. The eye look is a bit of a surprise: two intensely-colored
shadows, one an exclusive-to-this palette, starkly-matte eye shadow in
"Bone," paired with a deep "Chocolate" that can be used as a liner, or
artfully smudged for a Summer "smoky" eye. The entire look
is sexy, but depending upon how much you apply, it can also be subtle.
That makes it a perfect travel compact, too (perhaps for that out of
town wedding)? Speaking of which, if you want glamorous eye colors
that last even when the night is long, long, long, Bobbi Brown's
Long-Wear Cream Shadow $22.00 arrives for Summer in four new shades:
We tried two: "Beach Honey" is a creamy champagne with a hint of
peach that looks great on lids or as a highlighter. "Beach Bronze" is a
glamorous bronze shimmer. There's also "Silver Dollar" and "Sand
Castle." These silky, cream-to-powder shadows are sheer
and layerable, incredibly easy to apply, and once applied, stay put
and with no greasy feel. Amazingly, it lasts until you want to
remove it (we suggest a makeup remover). You can even rub your eyes with
this shadow on, and not ruin it. These are safe for contact lens wearers and
fragrance-free. TIP: Apparently we're not the only ones
who love Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadow. Self Magazine awarded
it the
"Best Cream Shadow" in their May 2007 "Self Healthy Beauty Awards."
*see more Bobbi Brown cosmetics in the Advice Sisters
July/August column. 
We can always count on BeneFit to create a trendy
and terrific collection for every season. Their products are fun to use, and of course, effective,
high quality, and beautifying. Their latest called "Love Your Look" uses
three BeneFit "muses" for inspiration, from 3 unique
lifestyles--
I've been using a great
new, computer driven V-Phone $39.99 *plus the cost of
service) by Vonage. I've gotten so fond of it, I've been
calling it: "orange aid." It looks like a standard
memory stick, but it's much more than that--this little wonder will help
you converse around the block, or around the world. Technology has come such a long, long way
that you really can carry your phone on a keychain (photo)! This
is an internet-based phone, to be used anywhere there's a computer, and
a high-speed internet connection. Since you're using it with your
computer's USB port, there are no batteries to replace or die out. So
lightweight you can put it in your pants pocket, it's the ultimate
"tech toy" for a busy Dad (and a fabulous gift for Father's
Day). This is the perfect phone for any busy person who is on the
go, and carries a laptop. The service is also quite reasonable. There are a number of
calling plans, starting at $14.99/500 minutes and when you are
considering costs, this Vonage V-Phone is less expensive than
most land-line models, and allows you to call anywhere from anyplace
with your
home phone number, even on a business trip or vacation (if you're living
in the USA, but you're visiting Italy, the calls you make from Italy back
to your friends and family in the States are still charged as local calls,
and if your friends and family call you, it's a local call for
them, too). This is a "must-have" for you if you travel
frequently, have elderly parents, or children. If you're worried that you (or Dad)
don't have the tech skills to set up such a device, take it from me, the
phone is literally plug and play. The Vonage V-Phone comes
with Vonage Talk software pre-loaded, so you don't need to
install anything or even restart your computer. I simply plugged the
Vonage V-Phone into a USB port on my computer, plugged the earpiece microphone into the
side of the phone, and started making calls! Even better, when
I remove the phone from the drive, I can take my phone and all my
important contact information with me! The extra features (no
charge, actually) include Caller ID, Call Waiting, and call waiting,
plus an additional 250MB of memory so you can store files, MP3 songs,
photos, or whatever else you want to tote along.
The interfaces are so easy, so
obvious, so amazingly simple, you don't any experience or
computer knowledge to use it. The sound quality (through headphones) is
excellent and lets you handle all your calls, hands free. Since the unit
fits right into a USB port, there is no clutter on your desktop, either.
Once you try this, you'll be totally hooked. Dad will look cool and impressive using
his V-phone, and you'll be the kid of the year for
your gift!
Want to know a secret? Guys
love candles and room
sprays as much as the ladies do! Sure, some guys only purchase them for
seduction, but most just want their living spaces to smell good (that
stale socks an "gym" scent is not pleasant, even if he's the one that
created the odors!). If you want to give a candle to a man,
it's got to be substantial, special, and a scent that won't be mistaken
for a fruit basket or a bouquet of flowers. The perfect candle for him
(and also for her) is the Banana Republic Candle $24.00 called
"Sunday Brunch." Inside a brown, cardboard unisex box is a
substantial, 7.4 oz. frosted brown glass votive with white candle that is
scented just like an intoxicating cup of cappuccino. The poured
candle has a 50 hour burn time, and comes with Banana Republic
matches. You can
literally "taste" the dark roast coffee and island coconut, mixed with
notes of cappuccino cream, vanilla froth, coffee blossoms, mocha rose,
and musk. The overall effect is "coffee" but there's more: as the
candle burns, you get a whiff of the candle's sensual side, adding just
a hint of sweetness, and musk to the mix. The This unusual scent
is better than an after-dinner drink to set a mood. Get several: weekend
hosts and hostesses will love these!
Can't find a thing to wear in your closet? Maybe
it's not just the clothes that are the problem--maybe it's the
hangers. Even if you're not a "mommie dearest" you know wire hangers
are best left for the dry cleaner to deliver your clothes on, and for
you to recycle right afterwards. And plastic? It's ok, but it's not
durable, and slippery fabrics slide off easily, spending more time
getting dusty on the floor, than staying clean on the hanger. If you're
ready for a closet make-over, or want a unique and lasting gift for a
special person, Huggable Hangers $25.95/20 pack at HSN by Joy
Mangano could be the perfect product! I remember seeing Ms.
Mangano promoting her "wares" on the Home Shopping Network a
while back, and thinking she had the right idea when it came to
organizing, but the hangers...well, I have just experienced them in
person for the first time! Somewhere I read that more than 110
million of these hangars have been sold. I can believe it, because
they're addictive! These super slim, slightly oversized hangers
are made of medium-impact polystyrene, with a flocked, velvety cover
that grips even the slipperiest of fabrics and coddles them. Yet,
these can hold heavy coats (up to 10 lbs) without breaking. Extra-long
brass-toned hooks protect collars and turtlenecks, while the curved ends
help preserve shoulder shapes. These are not only perfect for your
everyday clothes, they're great for storage bags and garment bags, too
(there are suit and shirt and 4-bar hangars). You can get them in a
variety of colors (ours were chic, black). You'll need more than 20 to
organize an entire closet (various online, catalogue and retail stores
package these in larger amounts), but you'll save space, and your
clothes. This really makes a great gift for a new grad, for a hostess or
housewarming gift, and to help organize your own closets.
What can you get that makes a great gift for a Dad
or a Grad, for under $15.00? Sally Beauty Supply has a suggestion
we love: the Beauty Secrets Men's Manicure Set $14.99.
Inside a compact, moc-croc black zippered travel case, you will find
eight items essential for a man's personal grooming needs, each neatly
held in place with it's own elastic band: folding file, safety scissors,
nail clipper, toenail clipper, razor, replacement blades, cuticle
pusher, and a travel toothbrush. The cost may be cheap, but the
quality, isn't. If you have just a bit more of a budget, package
this one with a nice shaving cream such as American Classic for Men
$5.99 6 oz. (light, spicy scent that conditions skin and protects
against moisture loss while providing a smooth, velvety feel after
shaving) and a Marvy Shaving Brush $3.99 made from luxurious,
100% pure natural boar bristle for a better, foamier shave.
Dad is sure to get years of use out of these, and he'll think fondly about
you, every time he uses them. A manicure set and shaving
brush are essential items of grooming every man needs, and make a
nice gift for a new graduate, too. Sally Beauty supply saves you
money so you outfit yourself with these must-haves, too.
Pearls are the classic gift for a female graduate, or for bridesmaids
in your wedding party. Avon makes a pearl gift easy and
affordable, with a Sterling Silver Freshwater Pearl Gift Set in Pouch
$59.99. A pink satin pouch with pink sequin trim and velcro closure
holds a 3-piece set including: a delicate silver 16" chain necklace
(with 3" extender) and nine, bridal-white, freshwater pearl spacers (I
estimate each pearl to be about 4mm); a matching 7 1/2" silver chain
bracelet with five pearls; and small, dangle-y, 3/4" pierced earrings.
All in sequined satin pouch. Pearls never go out of style, and look
right with everything from jeans to evening gowns. This ladylike set
makes an impressive gift, are perfect for just about any woman of any
age, and it's a great value, too! For junior attendants, or just a fun
way to wear a bit of "bling" to the beach, the Heart Charm Bracelet
Set $12.99 is a trio of stretch bracelets featuring clear beads,
silvery bands, and a bunch of silver hearts. Since the bracelets stretch
to fit, they'll work for just about every woman of any age, and offer a
young-at-heart (pun intended) accessory that looks right with casual or
more formal attire. Be sure to get a set for yourself, and a few for
gifts.