THE ADVICE SISTERS® "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics &
Fashion Review Column
OCTOBER 2007 by Alison Blackman Dunham
Fall is here. Harvest colors are everywhere. Some are already digging out sweaters and coats. No matter where you live, Fall fashions have taken over from Summer, in the stores. This season has definitely changed! This is a great time to update your wardrobe and your makeup, fragrance and skincare. This column brings you the newest and best products for October, 2007
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FRESH MAKEUP FOR FALL:
As the seasons change, your skin requires different care. Flawless Skin Total Protection Makeup $39.50 1 fl. oz. by Prescriptives gives you the look for more flawless skin, and it is oil free and has SPF 15!This nifty (and new) formula has something called "Pro-XCell Complex," which we can't tell you much about because the press info and the website don't offer details. What we DO know is that this formula works to protect against sun damage and environmental stressors, while it also helps to diffuse and divert your eye from complexion imperfections. Our skin looked smooth, even-toned, and of course, we felt good knowing that it was being protected from the sun's UVA/UVB rays (essential any time of year) and that regular use of this product can actually help to improve the skin's ability to repair itself and guard against UVA and UVB damage. The silky, lightweight formula is easy to apply, and offers medium to full coverage that will enhance virtually any skin tone with an impressive, 30 shades to choose from. This is definitely a foundation that will help you skin look beautiful, inside and out! I first met Debbie Bondar, creator of FACEatelier Cosmetics, in 2005 at Fashion Week at a StyleLounge (now Style360) show a few seasons ago, when she was just about to launch her Canadian cosmetics line in the United States. We seemed to have a lot in common and I really enjoyed talking to her, drawn to her strength and warm personality. I think her cosmetics radiate that feeling as well, welcoming women of all ages to try her silicone-based products. Ultra Sheer $42.00 for example, is a marvelous, multi-tasking liquid product in a pump bottle. It is moisturizing and oil-free, made for adding over moisturizer or bare skin for an illuminating glow or highlight, or add a bit of it to a liquid foundation (e.g.. Face atelier's Ultra Foundation $42.00) to subtly alter its hue and add a light-reflecting flow. Depending upon the color you choose, you can also use it as a blush or bronzer. It's a blush. It's a bronzer. No matter what your complexion, the "Peach" adds a very subtle, flattering warmth. "Gold" adds a golden shimmer that's not at all gaudy, but adds just a touch of flattering "magic" to perk up a sallow or not-so-glam, look. We didn't try the bronzer, but based on the other two, we think it will give you a believable, sheer tint. TIP: It's a luxury, but you can add some of this to your body moisturizer to add a bit of "spot sheen," or use Ultra Sheer "as-is" to accentuate shoulders, collarbones and décolletage. Ultra Blush $22.00 is a generously-sized, pressed powder that is a more traditional way to add color to your face, in five silky, sheer and subtle shades. We tried "Rosewood," a soft mauve that is trendy, but pleasantly pretty on most complexions. There is also a light pink, peach, and light and a medium nudes. Looking for a great place to advertise? The Advice Sisters online publications are a great value! Check our advertising rates Mosaic powders look so pretty, but one that looks pretty and also makes blush application nearly foolproof, is the Physicians Formula Powder Palette Blush $10.95. Six different coordinated color compacts blend tiny spots of complimentary colors in Peach, natural, peach, mocha, berry or nude. The Italian talc pressed powder has a soft, sheer color and a slightly shimmery finish, to add color without being garish. Reviewers liked the way it blended easily without streaking, and since it's by Physicians Formula, it's oil free, won't clog pores, and is kind to sensitive skin. Each compact comes with a clear top and a mirrored bottom compartment that even includes a mini blush brush. We also liked the Talc-Free Mineral Wear Blush $10.95 for extra sensitive or breakout-prone skin. It has the same basic colors, packaging and qualities as the Palette blush, but the color is achieved with minerals for soft, sheer shades and a natural look. The blush is so silky and sheer, you can actually apply it and blend it with your fingertips (for best results use the included mini blush brush or your own, blush brush). If you're seeking a modestly-priced blush, and you want something easy, attractive, and effective, these are great ones to try. The Summer is long gone, but the sun's damaging rays are still here. A new foundation from The Body Shop: Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation SPF 25 $22.50 will make you look good and help you protect your skin. The lightweight, rectangular compact has an elegant, shiny silver top. The foundation inside is a high performance, innovative cream-to-powder formula, best applied with the included sponge applicator. It's enriched with oil from the baobab tree (containing high levels of Vitamin A, E and F); natural moisturizers; and The Body Shop's Community Trade marula oil (to moisturize and protect your skin). More importantly, a mineral defense shield complex with SPF 25 helps to protect your skin from sun damage. The foundation comes in six shades, and offers natural, silky coverage that slides over imperfections and fine lines/wrinkles, without any greasy or heavy feel. This makeup was my choice throughout Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, when the air was still humid, and I was unable to touch up for an entire day into evening, and it stayed fresh for hours! Flawless Skin Protecting Concealer $15.50 works well with this foundation to conceal blemishes. It has a blendable formula featuring a special, active essence to nurture your skin with baobab and marula oil, Vitamins, and encapsulated Vitamin C. This light-as-air concealer does a great job of eliminating dark circles and imperfections, and stays put. It comes in four shades to flatter just about every complexion.
Color Wave Mosaic Powder $4.99 by N.Y.C. New York Color looks cheerful in it's simple, round compact, but what it does is make your complexion more upbeat, brighter, and more radiant. The natural pressed powder colors look intense, but they're actually ultra sheer. Blend the four neutral, coordinating shades in each compact together, and create a single shade that balances and enhances all skin undertones. We tried "Kaleidoscope," a palette of pinks and roses that perks up that pale or sallow complexions, easily, without being overly obvious. "Shimmer" gives your face a shimmery, golden glow.
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EYE-CATCHING PRODUCTS (For Eyes): There is nothing I love more than a mini-sized version of a great product. Minis are not only adorable, you can take them anywhere! The new, Mini Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara $8.00 by Bourjois is a 3" long mascara with a thin lanyard to loop onto a cell phone or key ring and a lobster-claw clasp to unhook the mascara to apply it. How I've longed for a mascara that I could carry around without weighing me down--and Bourjois, delivered! The deep, black mascara is pretty marvelous, too. It contains a volumizing complex of natural waxes and silicone gum with carnuba and rice waxes to help thicken ashes. It's also enriched with polymers, paraffin, beeswax, pigments, and Vitamin B5. The nicely-shaped bristles coat one lash at a time from root to tip. When I applied just one coat, I noticed the volumizing properties immediately. Two coats, and my lashes looked incredibly dark and sexy. You'll like this mascara so much you will want the full-sized version of Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara as well. Deep, intense eyes are not going away anytime soon. To make yours particularly nice, try a trio of deep, metallic pressed eye shadows (in the signature, round, Bourjois mirrored compact with mini applicator, of course) called the "Black is Back" collection. All three are a refreshing change from harsh black and can be worn easily in the daytime if you apply to lids with a light touch, and blend. They make amazing liners, too. My favorite is "Noir Cobalt," a super-intense, cobalt blue that's nearly black. Also striking is "Noir Emeraude," a blackened emerald and "Gris Delicat" a metallic steel grey that looks particularly modern, ringing the eye with smoldering color. For a lighter touch, the collection called Le Dressing du Regard. A round, laminated Paper Box $2.00 with colorful, graffiti-style blazing heart graphic has a mini-applicator and three empty wells inside with a piece of sticky tape, into which you can place up to three mini pressed eye shadows $6.00/each. There are a dozen colors organized for day, for play, and for night. You can mix and match them (Bourjois cleverly puts suggested color combos and where to apply them right on the packaging). All of these are shimmery, the lighter ones including: #47 (pale pink pearl-for day) and #56 (light chartreuse shimmer-for play). For night, reviewers lkiked#45 (an intense, festive, silver shimmer) and #42," (seriously sexy steel grey shimmer). The latter is great for an evening look and makes a glam liner. Are the holidays here already? Maybe not quite, but it sure is time to consider how to glam up for all those festive events coming up in the next two months. Luckily, the Antiquitease Collection by M.A.C. Cosmetics hits the stores mid-month! The colors in this collection are silver, gold, metallic and reminiscent of fine gilded antiques. It's a glamorous and extravagant collection, inspired by the ornate styles of centuries past (think Marie Antoinette), but with very modern touches. For example, a Mineralize Baked Eye Shadow Duo $16.00 such as "Gondola," pairs a nearly iridescent, dramatic deep-sea blue with a very metallic silver. You can wear them together, blend them, or use them separately. My newest favorite "glam" product is M.A.C. Pigment $19.50 in "Sweet Sienna." M.A.C. calls it a "dirty brown with grey pearl," but to me it's more like a luxurious, glistening, bronzed-pewter shot through with glimmery gold. Use it lightly for a bronzed wash on eyes or dusted on lips, or add a lot more for a simmeringly shimmery, smoky eye. This very concentrated loose powder contains some sort of magic that allows it to adhere to your skin, instead of falling all over the place, and a little goes a long way. We didn't try all the eye products in Antiquitease, but you'll want them all, to "holi-dize" your eyes!
If you are fashion-oriented, you need no introduction to gorgeous supermodel Heidi Klum, who is not only the star of "Project Runway," but is married to sexy singer, Seal. It's no wonder that Victoria's Secret tapped Heidi Klum to create her first signature collection for their line of "Very Sexy" makeup. The gold compacts feature the "Very Sexy" logo in bright red, and Ms. Klum has added her autograph to each case. The Mosaic Eye Shadows $18.00 compact also has a black & white photo of Heidi on the compact. These lovely, Mosaic Eye Shadows are shimmery, color-coordinated shadows: light pink, ivory, taupe and brown work well together, or as solo performers. The powder shadows are sheer, shimmery and super-soft, so even beginners can't make a mistake with these. Inside the compact is a nice, square mirror with a subtle "Very Sexy" logo at the bottom, in white. For fun and night-time drama, add a Glitter Eye Liner $12.00. The mini-sized liner has a thin brush that picks up lots of bronze-y glitter and deposits it just where you want it for eye-opening sparkle. TIP: Try this sparkle liner over a traditional, black or brown liner, to give eyes definition and glamour. You will not only feel sexy using these products, Heidi Klum has made sure that you will look sexy, too. These are a "must-have" for now through the holidays. Laura Mercier's pressed powder eye shadows have always been one of our favorites. Whether sheer or intense, matte or shimmery, these shadows stay true to color, last without creasing, and blend, beautifully. The Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Quad $38.00 coordinates four pans of color in generously-sized squares in Laura Mercier's signature, brown, mirrored, compact. These colors slide on so easily you'll feel like a pro, and they can be used wet or dry. French cashmere talk, Nylon 12, and boron nitride make the colors do your bidding, gliding smoothly over skin, offering light-reflecting properties, and providing a silky, nearly mistake-proof application. The exclusive shades are trendy, but very wearable. We tried "Storm Cloud," deep but wearable shades including a light nude, a seriously deep black, a matte medium grey, and a shimmery deep charcoal. There is a blue-themed version too called "Blue Sky." If you'd rather pick your own colors, Eye Colour $20.00 offers lots of choices. Two Earthy, Fall shades we like are "Nutmeg," a warm slightly rusty, matte shadow, and "Khaki" a soft brown that looks natural and pretty on everyone's lids. These shadows are sheer build-able and can be used wet or dry for modern takes on eye color that look good day or evening. Illusion Lights Eye Shadow $14.50 by Red earth feature an amazing 42 light-reflecting color in seven main color groups: Blue, Green, Grey, Pink, Purple, Neutral and Brown. And, if that's not enough variety, these exceptional shadows come in four different formulas, too. The round, clear plastic mirrored compacts are cute and tote-able, and the shadow inside is so silky and velvety, you can blend them with your fingers just like a cream (but a sponge or brush is best). We tried three Fall-themed colors from the "Satin Shine" formula collection, shadows with an iridescent finish and a lustrous shine: My favorite being "Indian Night," a very warm peach with coppery shimmer) that I used on my eyelids, but also dabbed on my lips and coated with clear, shimmery gloss for a multi-tasking makeup item. Also beautifully wearable and perfect with the trendy Fall palette is "Mystic Garden" (gorgeous moss green) and "Tiger Eye" (a bronzed copper). From the Sparkle Velvet collection we tried "Royal Seduction, a deep browned-mauve that has glittery particles to catch the light and add sparkle to your eyes. There's is also a "Brilliant Pearl" collection (pearly shimmer) and a Soft Frost collection (great as a base and highlighter). No matter which type of color you choose, you'll light up your eye look!
One of the things I love about Therapy Systems (besides their high quality, high performance, mineral makeup) are the bright, shiny, silvery cases that look elegant and important even before you apply the product. For a limited time, Therapy Systems Eye Shadows $19.00/each in soft, blendable, layerable shades that work well with the earthy and jewel toned fashions so popular right now. Therapy Systems makeup has lots of bennies, such as Vitamins A & C, and it is incredibly easy to blend, even with just a fingertip. This new, limited edition shadow collection features two neutrals: Soft, shimmery beige "Sand Storm" which works perfectly on all skintones for day or evening, and "Silver Haze," offering a pretty, starry coating of silver shimmer, or an all-out heavy metal glimmer, depending upon how much you use. "Evening Twilight" is a deep, browned plum with just a bit of golden shimmer to ring your eyes, or blend well to wear as a lid color. Ditto "Blue Moon," seriously deep, matte blue that makes a killer liner (deep blue is going to be the color for sexy Spring eyes, too). The budget fashionista needn't worry about how to stay trendy. Rock your eye look with a Mineral Eyeliner/Eyeshadow Palette $4.99 from the Electric Avenue collection by N.Y.C. New York Color. These quartets of pressed mineral powders can be used wet or dry for lining, coloring, and anything in-between. We tried the colorful palette called "Electric," featuring purple, blue, pink and green. Also try "Flash" with gold/silver/white/gray and "Sultry" with moss/navy/black/chocolate. The colors are bright and fairly intense, but blendable, so you can re-create the trendiest eye looks without going broke. The only thing better than one Vincent Longo Powder Eye Shadow is the Vincent Longo Eye Shadow Trio $30.00. Embossed with "Love, Sex, and Pax, the simple, round black compact with clear screw-top hold three sheer shimmer powders in nine very nice combos, I personally like "Trastevere," three very shimmery but very sheer shadows in gold, copper and bronze that will light up your lids from now through the holidays, and "Biscotti," a shimmery ivory, peach and bronze that work well for day and evening. New and bold is "Caramel Fern," a trio of shimmery deep plum, forest green, and light pink -- lovely! All of the shadows have softly-milled pearl fibers that give a pretty, not gaudy, light-reflecting glow. They'll last and stay true to color, and they are also hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. For those who prefer a cream formula, new Eye Shimmer Soufflé $24.00 is a wonderful little pot of crease-resistant shimmering whipped eyeshadow cream that slides on easily, is sheer enough to a touch of color, and versatile enough to layer more for intensity. The result is a sexy shimmer that reflects the light and makes creating an eye look in seconds, a reality! Good-for-your-skin ingredients include sesame, neem and bosswellia seed oil, offering anti-inflammatory soothing restoring properties. We were excited back in May 2006, when we reviewed the new, High Intensity Pigments (HIP) by L'Oreal because these are "makeup artist" style products that offer high-pigment products for women who love bold color. Now L'Oreal has introduced a HIP Cream Eyeliner, also featuring bold colors that coordinate with HIP Shocking Shadow Pigments. The colors are unique and edgy, such as the bright #945 Teal" we tried. Application (with included mini-angled liner brush) is easy, with the soft, blendable and creamy liner that deposits color evenly. Even better, the color stays put, and doesn't feather or fade. HIP Shocking Shadow Pigments $11.99 offer shimmery, loose powder full of intense, iridescent, bold color in a tiny sifter/shaker jar. Use the nice mini-shadow brush to apply the product dry or wet, (for a more sheer look). With color this bold, you don't need much, so the tiny jar will last, and it's great to pop into a makeup bag. TIP: We also like the half-clear containers that make it easy to the color without guessing or opening it up. L'Oreal has also gifted the eye-shadow aficionado with a HIP Color Rich Cream Crayon $9.99, that dispenses blendable, bold, shimmery, color in a slim, twist-up pencil that even has it's own sharpener built right into the end! We tried "Unmistakable," a warm coppery pink that looks pretty with the earthy colors so popular right now.
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BLUSH FOR FALL: FACE Stockholm has Swedish roots, but it also has retail stores in some of this chic-est areas of the world. The company opened it's USA corporate headquarters and an original boutique in the antiques Mecca, Hudson New York, and just opened another boutique in "artsy" Rhinebeck. These towns, located in the Hudson River valley, are home to artists and upscale residents and visitors. In celebration of these upstate locations, FACE Stockholm has released Crème Blush $23.00 in "Hudson," a peachy nude" and "Rhinebeck," a sheer, deep rose with a hint of berry, that tinted our lips a pretty rose, too. The blush is super-sheer and slides on like creamy silk, for a buildable, long-lasting glow. We like the way it melted into our skin, leaving the right color for our complexion. It's so easy to apply, it's a no-brainer "must-have." TIP: FACE Stockholm offers a number of individual makeup application services, including some hands-on classes. Get a group of 2-3 people together and get two hours for $220 to have a pro teach you everything you want to know about makeup techniques, application, and color choices! Last February, I was backstage at Cynthia Rowley's runway for Fall 2007, and had a chance to preview Cynthia Rowley's new and exciting makeup collection with makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, for Avon. The overall look was a fresh, without any products on the face other than a bit of limited edition, Avon All-Over Face Brightening Powder $10.00. A round compact with a clear lid holds a three shades of embossed (with Cynthia Rowley flowers) sheer, pressed powder in pink, peachy beige, and deep mauve powder that creates a slight shimmer and glow when used together, or can be used separately for contour, highlight, and blush. If you feel a bit pale or sallow, your complexion will perk up, even if you, don't!
Imagine a blush so easy to use you can apply it with your fingertips, and you have Cheeky Flirt $18.00 by Red earth. We like the clear, round, plastic, mirrored compact with shiny silver top featuring the attractive black, Red earth logo. The pressed powder inside also has the Red earth logo embossed all over it (cute!). But it's the soft, super-velvety texture of the blush that really got our hearts, racing. It's sheer and blendable, and gives you complexion a boost with a touch of iridescence, but without overt shimmer or glitter. Of course it looks even better when applied with a proper blush brush, but we used our fingertips and were amazed that we could actually blend it, easily as-is! We tried "Cherry Blossom," (pink) but there are five colors ranging from pink and rose, to peach and bronze. Good-for-your-skin ginkgo leaf and rosa canina fruit botanicals help your skin stay silky and the color, true. For more color, another silky, multi-tasking blush from Red earth, Blush 'n Glow $16.00, also provides sheer, silky, buildable, blendable color in warm bronze that you can also use as an eye shadow, dab on lips, or lightly dust on as an all-over bronzer. This shimmery blush features high-tech powders that deliver light-reflecting, 3-dimensional color that looks natural, or "sun-kissed," depending upon how much you apply, and how well you blend it in.
LOVELY LIPS FOR FALL: I'm dreaming of a six pack of shimmery, sheer glosses so beautiful I can't apply them often enough! No, wait..it's not a dream, it's the limited edition, Light Speed Lip Gloss Collection $29.00 by Smashbox Cosmetics, from their Beyond Beauty Holiday Collection! Four new shades and two best-selling super-sheer Smashbox lip glosses are packaged together for glam lips all season long, and for an awesome gift idea. These are quite sheer, but still have enough color to tint your lips, lightly. They're silky, super-shiny, and are so shimmery they make your pout, instantly "pop!" Wear them solo, or layer them for your own, unique shades. My favorite new shades are "Glide," a shimmery peach and "Force," a shimmery berry that tints lips with the perfect amount of raspberry. Slightly brighter is "Glare," a shimmery pink and lighter is "Rush," a medium pink." The two existing shades in this collection are popular for a reason--they're gorgeous! "Illume" is a shimmery nude with iridescence, ""35MM" a soft brown. There's something in this collection to please everyone--get lots for gifts and watch them grin! "Play in the Darks: is the name of Clinique's Fall 2007 collection. For Lips, Clinique has developed something called Almost Lipstick $14.00 that takes popular shades, and translates them into a new product that doesn't quite have the density of a lipstick, but isn't quite a gloss, either. What I like so much about this formula in a slim, swivel-up tube, is that while the color is undeniably there, it is more of a natural lip stain without shimmer (sometimes a shiny, pouty lip is just too much). Your lips will lost healthy and moist, without too much shine, and you'll also get a genuine dose of good-for-your-lips moisture. With Almost Lipstick. even those who shy away from intense, trendy dark colors can wear them without feeling ghoulish or outlandish. I tried the limited edition "Black Plum," a color that would ordinarily make me look more like a heavy metal band member than a beauty reviewer. But although the color was nearly black in the tube, it translated on my lips into a pretty, natural looking bee-stung plum lip stain that was pretty! There is also "Black Honey," and two other limited editions: "Black Raisin:" and "Black Raspberry."
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The Heidi Klum collection for Victoria's Secret's "Very Sexy" makeup line debuts mid-month, lucky for makeup lovers. Ms. Klum worked with Victoria's Secret makeup artist Linda Hay to create a new, premier signature collection. Looking at the products, we can tell that this wildly successful blonde supermodel definitely knows a thing or two about makeup, and about sexy makeup, at that. I love the light pink, Perfect Lipstick $13.00 in a chic, gold compact that is subtle on your lips, but coated in silvery sparkles on the outside, and mixed with just the right amount of iridescence and shine, throughout. For added shine, add on the Lip Gloss $12.00 in "Hot Coco," a shimmery nude, with an added bonus: a very yummy chocolate scent! The lip gloss adds a sheer hint of pink plus lots of shimmer and shine, solo. These are sexy, fun, and affordable. We love these--can't wait to see more collections.
This time of year, our lips begin to feel a bit more dry, and we need a rich, silky lip product to help out. Special Edition Precious Rouge $14.50 from The Body Shop delivers silky, pampering, semi-sheer metallic color and lots of moist gloss. It's more than a gloss, but not as intense as an opaque lipstick. it comes in a faceted diamond shape, but you'll be wearing that down in no time, as you'll want to apply the three shimmery shades, often. I particularly liked the wear-with-everything copper called "Sleek Brown," but equally pretty are "Lavish Pink," a truly lovely and universally flattering medium pink, and the deep rose called "Opulent Rose that makes a nice but still trendy substitute for all the berries in this season's Fall palette.
The Cynthia Rowley Fall 2007 collection by Avon featured shiny, pink lips on the runway, and the Lipstick and Lip Gloss that completed the look are equally smashing on real women in real life. A limited edition, Ultra Color Rich Lipstick $4.50 in "Very Violet" is really a bright, smooth, moist pink with sheer, creamy color and moisturizing Vitamin E. Make it go from pretty to sexy with a slick of limited edition Lip Gloss $4.50 called "Rose Petals--a bright clear pink that is opaque enough to stand on it's own, or add shine and depth to another product. The non-sticky, luxe color is also packed with bennies such as SPF 15, Vitamins A, C and E and jojoba oil...simply wonderful and at a you-can't-beat-it, price. We reviewed the rest of the 8-piece collection back in April, 2007, but now they're available and so affordable, you can afford to look like a supermodel. Lip plumpers used to be mysterious (and somewhat painful) products that promised "Angelina" and "Pamela" lips, and sometimes, delivered, sometimes, didn't. Now, lip plumps are plentiful, and you can choose one that suits your tastes, specifically. One we like that doesn't cost a fortune and works very well is Plump Potion $8.95 by Physicians Formula. The colors are sheer and the gloss, silky, but within a few seconds you'll feel a slight (not painful) tingle, and an instant plumping effect. The product also hydrates your lips so they'll stay moist with or without gloss. With continued use, your lips will look smoother and younger and those fine lines you don't want, will seem to disappear, thanks to an active, tri-peptide blend that is known to boost natural collagen production. The slightly vanilla-scented gloss is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and comes in a substantial, luxurious column of clear plastic with a large, clear plastic topped brush wand. "Pink Potion" is a shimmer, light pink that adds a hint of brightness to your face. "Nude Potion" is a super-shimmery champagne, and for those who need to put roses back in their complexion, "Rose Potion" is a beautiful, universally flattering, medium rose. TIP: be sure to exfoliate with a gentle scrub or a soft toothbrush to make your lips look even lovelier. Follow with plumping gloss.
FALL FASHION & ACCESSORIES:
Owls are a symbol of wisdom, and a classic fashion statement. Avon has interpreted the owl in it's Gold tone Wise Owl Pendant Necklace and it'll be a very wise choice to add a bit of flash and sparkle to this season's subdued fashions. What's so cute about this stylized owl in brushed, gold tone metal with a fancy, oversized bail (for your thickest chains) is the way it's head, body, eyes, and even it's tail, are hinged, so they move as you do! For added sparkle, there are tiny "citrine" rhinestones in it's eyes. A hammered, open link oval chain hangs two feet from the bail, or double it up for a shorter necklace. The quality of Avon accessories is impressive--a lot of flash for not a lot of cash. This little owl would make a perfect gift for a favorite teacher at holiday time, or a new graduate, any time. Stock up now. It's not too early to start thinking about your holiday gifts and glam makeup, and the fantastic Holiday Collection called "Beyond Beauty," by Smashbox Cosmetics, debuts mid-month! The Advice Sisters were delighted to receive a number of products from this amazing collection, so we're going to review them throughout the end of 2007, starting with some basics, and moving on to glamorous gifts you'll want to give and receive. Just like an artist's canvas, how you prepare your skin will reflect the end result. The Flawless Finish Skin Perfectors $49.00 is a limited edition set that pairs Smashbox's popular Photo Finish Foundation Primer, with their Photo Op Under Eye Brightener...and that's not all...you get travel sizes of these products, too, a $69.50 value! I used to think primers were just a time-wasting extra step, until I tried Photo Finish Foundation Primer. One push of the pump bottle, one application (after moisturizer with SPF--always), and I realized how wrong I was! This colorless gel slides on like silk, leaving absolutely no residue, but creating a smooth surface on which to apply your foundation. Grapeseed extract soothes and protects, and the gel actually fills in fine lines and slides over large pores, giving my skin a velvety finish. Foundation (even full coverage and powder) looks smoother, more flawless. Now I know primer isn't an extra step, but an essential step! The Photo Op Under Eye Brightener helps reduce those hard-to-conceal, under-eye dark circles, with skin-nourishing ingredients. It can be used alone, or as a base for concealer (it's not a concealer, however). The tube with brush applicator lets you add just enough where you want it. I'm not sure what magic lurks in this tube, but it has brighteners that immediately make those dark circles under your eyes look less noticeable, while good-for-your-skin ingredients add nourishment and moisture that make that delicate and dry area, feel better. Used with a concealer, even those seriously dark circles will recede into the background. After a sleepless night or too much partying, it's a must-have. '
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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. We are not compensated for reviewing
products (that's how we can keep the reviews impartial) and none of
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FABULOUS FALL FRAGRANCES:
Another Marc Jacobs fragrance that's already a classic arrives for a limited time starting this month. 100 bottles of the beautiful Marc Jacobs Fragrance $250.00 .05 fl. oz fragrance, packaged in a stunning, show-stopping, platinum limited edition bottle, will be available at Neiman Marcus stores to celebrate their 100th anniversary. This scent is a surprising, wet gardenia that smells significant and sophisticated as you'd expect a designer scent based on an exotic flower to be, but it's not overwhelming. However, while a gardenia-based floral can sometimes be heavy and overly spicy, this one is amazingly light and direct, with just enough gardenia shining through to announce that the wearer has chosen a unique scent. If you aren't able to snag one of these special, limited edition bottles, you can still purchase the scent in it's regular bottle, which is still quite lovely, as-is.
SERIOUS SKINCARE: Good things do come in small packages, but really good things come in BIG ones! If your skin is really dry, and you like to liberally apply moisturizing body lotion, quite often, you'll love the new, Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion $7.59 16 oz. This generously-sized plastic bottle with gold pump top allows even a budget fashionista to bathe her skin in silky softness, night and day, as much as she wishes! Although it's a bargain, the fragrance-free, non-greasy formula improves the look and feel of rough, dry skin with moisturizers like shea butter, formulated to release up to 24 hours! For really stubborn area such as dry elbows, knees, and heels, an ultra-rich tube of Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Body Cream $7.49 5 oz. will silken, quickly and effectively. For Hands, a flip-top tube of Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Hand Cream $5.49 3.5 oz not only provides 24-hour moisturization like the body products do with anti-oxidant vitamins, and nutrients, but it even lasts through hand washing! You'll want to keep this trio of moisturizers on hand--especially this Winter, when dry heat can make your skin itchy and flaky. Summer is over, but you can keep a gentle glow going with self-tanners. Sun Sauce by Hoss Sauce, new to our reviews this column, has a number of self-tanning products, including a lovely, multi-tasking, skin-firming, Touch of Sunless Moisturizer With Hemp $20.00 18 fl. oz that is vitamin-enriched to nicely moisturize your skin, while adding a touch of color. Sun Sauce is favored by celebrities such as actress/fashionista Hilary Duff, who provided Sun Sauce products to her guests at her July 4th beach party in Malibu. No wonder. This natural product, in a cobalt-blue plastic pump bottle, has an organic blend of great-for-your-skin natural oils, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and sunless tanning. And, in case you're wondering, hemp seed oil is a rich source of nutrients for strong, healthy hair and it is drug free--not it's distant relative, marijuana. My skin felt instantly softer and bit smoother. The color is very soft, although you'll get more intensity as you continue to use it. What I didn't know until now is how this type of self-tanner works. It's fairly basic chemistry, actually: Dihydroxyacetone known as DHA is a simple carbohydrate that is often derived from fermenting the glycerin from sugar cane or beets. When DHA is applied to the skin, it reacts with your bodies’ amino acids producing a pigmentation change in the stratum corneum or outermost layer of the skin. The chemical reaction creates the color change, which provides the popular tanning effect. Now you know...so apply Touch of Sunless, and get a gorgeous glow, without any trouble at all! Mercedes Benz Fashion Week had just ended, and after a week of using more products that usual,we longed for a thorough exfoliating cleanse. Luckily we had Therapy Systems Amazingly Gentle Scrub #36.00 8 0z., $12.50 2 oz. This pink, citrus-scented gel can be used on both face and body (elbows, knees, feet, etc.), and is gentle enough for all skin types. If your skin is sensitive and you avoid exfoliators, this one is perfect--it'll do it's work well, but not leave your skin red and irritated. Soothing aloe vera gel, calming peppermint and grapefruit oils, ginseng and green tea extracts work with natural grains to loosen and eliminate dead skin cells, and it cleansed our pores without scrubbing, perfectly! We liked the lightweight plastic pump bottle, and the way the exfoliator is first a scrub, and then (with a bit more water) a foaming cleanser. We all loved the fragrance, too. Healthy, glowing skin without redness or irritation in less than a minute! Fantastic! White Swan, new to our reviews this column, remind me a bit of yesteryear's products...they offer simple, skin-benefiting items at modest prices. Their Wild Rose Hand & Body Lotion $7.50 4 oz, $14.50 8 oz. smells fresh and clean. The product has emollients, conditioners and vitamins such as Coconut oil, Vitamin E, Elderflower and Aloe Vera, to protect and smooth your skin. The simple, plastic bottles with feminine, blue, pink and white labels (featuring a lovely, white swan) are also romantically old-fashioned. The Wild Rose Bath & Shower Gel $7.50 4 oz., $14.50 8 oz. is also simple and pleasant to use, with a botanical base including Balm Mint, Elderflower and Aloe Vera, and a lightly foaming, moisturizing formula that will please everyone in your family. Natural simplicity, we like that...and we think you'll like these modestly-priced products, too. Creative Nail Design creates super-hip manicures for models on the Fashion Week runways, and for home use, but they also know a thing or two about taking care of hands and other body parts. Their nice line of skincare items called "Creative ScentSations." has launched a new scent: Black Currant & Fig, a very pleasing blend that is tart and fruity, but with a slightly floral drydown. We tried the Hand & Body Lotion $11.50 8.3 oz., 1/2 fl. oz $1.65 and the new Hand & Body Scrub $15.90 7 oz. The Lotion looks like any other, in a simple, clear plastic pump bottle, but it's quite lovely-- a light and quickly absorbing without any greasy residue (and we used quite a bit), and it softens and moisturizes your skin amazingly well, with Vitamins A and E, and aloe vera. The lotion was so popular, it was gone in a flash! The Hand & Body Scrub also has the aromatherapy bennies of the tart black currant & fig scent, while large grains of sugary crystals and emollient oils, make short work of dry, flaky skin. High performance, aromatherapy, and great results will be yours. TIP: the travel-sized hand and body lotion makes a great stocking stuffer.....check out all the scents on the company's web site. Juice Organics, has introduced Juice Beauty brand, a collection of organic skincare products that have a unique, 100% organic juice base. For those who are concerned that what you put on your skin, is absorbed into your body, knowing that your skincare products have formulas using plant oils, botanicals, honey, aloe vera, and raw can sugar from farms that specialize in sustainable and organic farming, makes them a perfect choice. The brands' organic juices (orange, lemon, grape, apple, carrot and pomegranate) come from the Pacific Northwest and California. We really liked the Facial Trial & Travel Kit $9.99 with mini-sized versions of Nourishing Cleanser (1 oz), Vitamin Antioxidant Serum .17 oz), and SPF 30 Light Tint Moisturizer (.17 oz). These are small enough to pass muster at an airport security check, but will still give you enough product for a long weekend. The cleanser blends certified organic antioxidant-rich white grape and apple juices with soothing aloe vera, nutrient-rich plant oils and vitamin antioxidants. It didn't leave our skin with a dry feel, and when we looked in a magnifying mirror, our skin was thoroughly cleansed. The Vitamin Antioxidant Serum is fast-absorbing and lightweight, but contains antioxidants, including peptides, alpha lipoic acid and co-enzyme Q10, blended with organic, vitamin-rich grape and orange juices and essential nutrients to revitalize and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. The Light Tint Moisturizer is a sheer, mineral-tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 and certified organic white grape and pomegranate juices, vitamin antioxidants, plus anti-aging nutrients. The sheer, light tint works nicely for light to fairly dark/medium skin tones. This is an impressive line of organic products.
SERIOUS SKINCARE DELUXE:
Last month we introduced you to a high-end skincare company called Leaf & Rusher. There are a wide array of products in their high-end collection, organized in four lines. The Original TX Collection is a line for skin restoration . DNA Resolve uses advanced cellular technology to help restore damaged skin and improve the look and feel of the skin. DermaDelivery uses the Derma Roller (see last months' review) to promote skin repair from the inside, out. TX Acne123 treats active and hormonally-related acne. As with any high-tech, high-end group of products, you must use them regularly, and properly, to see great results. However, a few products give instant gratification. The Solar Screen SPF 30 $43.95 2.6 oz (from the Original TX Line) is reported to be a favorite of stars such as Shirley MacLaine, who uses it daily. It's a UVA/UVB sunscreen that contains a host of anti-oxidants, and unusual ingredients such as Quinona, an ancient grain and squalene (from olives) to help moisturize. The rich cream is luxurious, easily absorbed, and has just the slightest, pretty, herbal scent. It's a great way to pamper and protect your face. TXLips $20.00 5.8 ml is a tiny jar of exfoliating balm (a little goes a long way) that uses exotic Buriti Fruit Hops to plump lips. Rub the balm with it's dissolving sugar crystals on your lips to remove dry skin cells, and it will gentle do so, leaving natural oils to soothe and hydrate. As a bonus, improve the application of your lipstick and keep it from feathering. You'll feel a slight sting when you apply it. This lip product is well worth the cost. Last month we introduced you to Cornelia Day Resort Drinking Teas, but the luxurious day spa also has Soaking Teas $89.00/5 pack that will appeal to both men and women. Luxurious, fabric bags filled with soaking tea look like large tea-bags and work pretty much the same way. Simply fill your tub with warm to hot water, remove the Soaking Tea bag from it's foil pouch, and let it steep, then enjoy! The Soothing Foot Bath features detoxifying, skin-softening sea-salts and extracts of St. John's Wort and yarrow to soothe sore muscles and irritation, while peppermint stimulates and de-odorizes, and arnica flowers even skin tone. You'll want to indulge as often as your budget allows (*these are spa-quality products are pricey, but still cost less than a similar, salon treatment). Your feet will feel incredibly refreshed, especially if you have been wearing heels or have foot-related problems. As the bag itself fancifully suggests: "a burst of herbs transforms your bath into an oasis of lawn green." Who could resist? There are a number of other soaking teas including Skin Soothing, Energizing, Tranquility, Detoxifying, and Muscle Relaxing (a 10-20 minute soak in the Muscle Relaxing Soaking Tea is so perfectly rejuvenating, you'll be ready for a night of dancing no matter how achy or stressed you were! Milk Bath: if it makes you think of the legendary Cleopatra, who swore by milk baths, soothe your own body and soul like royalty with Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath $66.00 13.5 fl. oz. that is particularly great for sensitive and very dry skin. It moisturizes, of course, but it even helps to soothe some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The milk protein base is rich in nourishing vitamins, amino acids and minerals, and some other key ingredients are natural plant collagen from oat extract and nourishing, Japanese camellia oil, plus jojoba, Xanthum Gum, Glycerin, and Macadamia Nut Oil (and lots of other good-for-you-skin stuff, too). It comes with a little 5 capful-cup to add just the right amount of milky, light and fresh smelling skin-saving product, to your bath. TIP: Reviewers liked "spot-treating" their small patches of super-dry skin by simply rubbing in a little bit of this product!
HEALTHY, LUXE HOME: If you've got clothes, you've got laundry. Purex, new to our columns this month, graciously sent us a trio of naturally scented laundry products called Purex Natural Elements Ultra Concentrate $3.49 50 oz., $6.99 for a 100 oz. that we think you'll enjoy using. The three new scents are: "Linen & Lilies" (a soft, feminine floral), "Apple & Melon," (clean and fruity featuring apples with melon including cantaloupe and honeydew.) and my favorite is "Cherry Blossoms & Vanilla," which is light fresh, with the merest hint of floral cherry blossoms coupled with vanilla. Purex has succeeded in making it more pleasurable to do the wash! The environmentally-conscious will be happy to know that Purex Natural Elements feature a biodegradable, non-toxic detergent formula in recyclable packaging. The detergent itself is an "Ultra Concentrate" that requires only half the liquid amount for the same number of loads as traditional laundry detergents, but it still is a powerhouse detergent. It also uses less water and produces less waste. Oh, those expensive dry cleaning bills! But if you have clothes that are too delicate for the washing machine, and not suitable for hand-washing, what else can you do to clean and freshen the fabric? Dry Cleaners Secret $9.99/6 cloths is a way to lightly clean and de-odorize clothes, inexpensively and quickly. It's a disposable, non-toxic, pre-moistened cleaning cloth (that releases a light, fresh scent) that you throw in the dryer with your clothes. It's safe for most fabrics, including acetates, cashmere, cotton, linen, ramie, rayon, silk, synthetics, wool (but not for Fur, leather, suede or velvet). To use the product, you can pre-treat stains first with the cleaning cloth, then tumble (1-4 garments) in the dryer (on "low" or "permanent press") for 20 minutes on timed setting – not counting the cool down cycle. Take out your clothes and toss the sheet--that's it! This product doesn't really take the place of heavy-duty stain and soil removal done by a dry cleaning professional, but, for example, you've been wearing something in a roomful of smokers, and it's still basically clean but a bit "smelly," this will rejuvenate it enough to wear it again without people wrinkling up their noses! Also great for travel.
HAIR HELPERS: Bumble and Bumble keeps the model's hair "runway ready" during fashion week, but their high quality products work wonders for the rest of us, every day. Bb Prep $16.00 8 fl. oz comes in a plastic pump bottle, and may be the answer to your prayers if your hair is flyway or thin and never seems to stay in control. Bb Prep will keep your hair from wandering all over the place, and gives hair extra body. But it does more than that: it helps other styling products work better, and adhere evenly. If your stylist helps you select the right styling products, using Bb Prep should help make them work that much better. And, it's easy to use; simply spritz the clear, odorless, non-sticky liquid on your hair, massage it in, comb it through, then style with heat, or let air dry. You'll not only see more control, reviewers also reported that this product makes a great detangler, and it also provides protection from heat during styling. Even better, a little goes a long way, so you'll be able to enjoy your bottle of Bb Prep for months! TIP: this product is best for uncolored, limp, or ultra-fine hair.
NAILS HANDS AND FEET: In the September What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column we reviewed half of "The Russian Collection" Nail Lacquers $7.50 by OPI. Now that Fall is in full swing, and you're pulling out your newest fashions, deeper colors on your fingers and toes will work best. The trendy nail colors for Fall/Winter are the more intense we've seen in years, and mostly in the blackened plum and purple tones, some creamy, some with lots of shimmer. Very dark tones can be difficult for some skin tones to carry off, but there are three in this collection that while very modern, are universally flattering despite their deep tones: "Russian Navy" is a rich indigo that looks nearly teal with one coat, but transforms into a glorious, deep purple shimmer with an additional layer or two. "Susie Says Da!" is a creamy, deep, chocolate brown that looks wearable and modern. "Boris and Natasha" is a creamy, plummed-raisin that is neither too brown, nor too purple, so it works well with every skin tone. The most on-trend of all the deep colors in this OPI collection is "Siberian Nights," a shiny, creamy plum so deep, it looks like black velvet. "Midnight in Moscow" actually is black, but when you look closely, it is infused with starry, maroon shimmer. "Catherine the Great" is a shimmery, mauved-wine that I think specifically flatters and livens up the greys and blacks on our backs!
We knew we were going to find something special inside the matte black boxes with a shiny gold metallic "NYC skyline" ringing the bottom. Inside, we found Carolyn New York Nail Polish $7.00. Of course, the AdviceSisters love New York, but celebrity manicurist Carolyn Cianciotto's is a real fan. Each collection, and each bottle of Carolyn New York polish is a "love song" of sorts, to Carolyn's experiences in New York. You don't have to be a Latina to love Carolyn's Latin line, with trendy and flattering colors just right for Fall. We tried "Poppy Chulo," a hot pink that adds just the right amount of boldness to toenails peeking out of peep-toe pumps. "Poppy Chulo" isn't a dessert, it's a term of affection usually meant for a father or husband, or to say "you're hot!" And, we loved "Spanish Harlem" a shimmery, chocolate bronze that looks trendy, and supposedly exemplifies the fire burning within the soul of New York (and, presumably, you, as well). "Fatty Chuletta" is a unique, frosty brick symbolic of the fatty pork chops, black beans and plantains Carolyn enjoyed at NYC's Spanish diners. Only a true pro would add this nice touch--a rubbery black top that lets you really get a grip on the brush while you're applying the color w |
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"Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous" is what we said when we saw the
We love mineral makeup, and we love Laura Mercier, so I'm
really excited to finally review the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF
15 $35.00. This is a finely-milled , multi-tasking, loose powder in
a shaker jar, that is composed completely of natural ingredients (with
15 active amino acids to clear the skin of toxins, promote healthy skin
cell growth and fight the aging process). Pure Pearl Powders and Mica
help your skin look natural, polished, and with a natural glow. The
shaker jar has a great design, with an open/close top like the type you
might find on a spice jar --simple, yet it keeps the powder from being
messy. And, if that's not impressive enough, thanks to zinc oxide,
your skin will be protected as well as beautified, with SPF 15. This
product is also oil-free and water-resistant, and can be used either as
a buildable foundation (use a "Kabuki-style" brush to add more
intensity), or as a finishing-type pigmented powder. I have tried other
loose mineral powders, but Laura Mercier really takes it to the
next level, with a product that is easy to use, looks great, and has
skin bennies, too! It comes in several shades for light to
medium-dark skin. We tried Tender Rose, which is great for light, ivory
tones, as is "Real Sand." "Rich Vanilla" and "Classic Beige" work
for medium tones, and "Pure Honey" flatters a golden medium. There's
also a "Bronzer." 
Clinique is one of our reader's most beloved brands, and every season
they create palettes that reflect the trends of the season, translated
from runway to real life. Eyes are a huge focus for Fall (Check out our
The Body Shop's special edition Shimmer Smudgers $18.50
may be the key to surviving the smoky eye trend, beautifully. A small
tube of powder features a curiously long and slim top with a smudger tip
(and musical "shaker beads") inside. This innovative, powder
half-liner/shadow with light-reflective pearle gives you an intense (but
very blendable) shade of deep color Try "Etched Brown," a rusty bronze
with iridescent pink pearle; "Slate Green," a moss green with iridescent
green pearle, or (for a true smoked eye) use "Burnished Metal," an
earthy coal-grey with iridescent multi-colored pearle. The smudger/applicator
let us apply the powder exactly where we wanted it, and our eyes finally
looked glamorous, trendy and sexy, and just not like we forgot to remove
our eye makeup the night before. Frame your eyes with the Body Shop
Double Intensity Mascara $16.00 in rich Black. One side of this
volumizing and lengthening mascara is a base coat to make your lashes
appear thicker and longer (but without clumping). The other side
has a smudge-resistant formula to color and add volume. The Body
Shop's Community Trade beeswax conditions lashes along with
panthenol and vitamin B5, while Community Trade marula oil moisturizes
and protects.
By October, your Summer glow may be fading, but
you can "fake it" with a great blush to bring it back. Day Play Duo Compact Powder
Blush $35.00 by Vincent Longo gives you back a youthful glow
with a dual-plan powder blush, in a creamy, densely pigmented formula.
The blush blends easily and perfectly, leaving nothing behind to tell it
isn't completely natural. Use the "Day" side to create a natural,
daytime glow, and the "Play" side to contour, or blend both shades
together to create your own, signature shade. We tried trendy
"Botticelli Dawn," a pale pink for Day, a deeper, lovely, wearable
rosed-mauve for "Play." There are ten duos in mauves, pinks,
corals, peaches, and bronzes. We love the way these blushes make you us
look like our glow was applied by a pro, and we also love the slim,
shiny, black mirrored compact with green, signature Vincent Longo
logo on the top, for chic-ness. For multi-tasking, we love
Applying makeup should be easy and fun. The special
edition compact from The Body Shop from their Fabulous Metallics
collection for Fall (photo), called Shimmer Squares $18.50 is both easy
and fun to use. A clear, square plastic compact holds concentric
squares of color that can be brushed on together for an all-over glow, or
used piece by piece to accent your eyes, cheeks and lips. Ours featured
bronze, gold, rose and copper. Unlike the shimmery bronzer/blush items
of Summer, this one is sheer and not glittery, giving your complexion a
rosy boost without being over the top. It's a great way to add natural,
glowing color. We love it! Another flattering way to glow, is
with Brilliance Powder $18.50. This all in one loose powder
with retractable brush in a tube, makes it perfect for travel. We tried
"Lustrous Rose," a sheer, medium pink loose powder with iridescent
glitter. Although it appears glittery in the tube, the overall look is
shimmery, not "club kid," and the sheer but build-able pink blush is
simply gorgeous. It makes a trendy shimmer eye shadow, and it's fun to
add a touch of this on your lips for a sexier pout, too. 
Besame Cosmetics creates old Hollywood glamour with their
40's-inspired products, packaged in shiny, golden compacts with
delicate, red floral designs. We haven't reviewed anything from this
amazing line for a while, but you'll find that literally every product
brings our the "star" in you. Besame Enchanted Lipstick $18.00 features exact replicas of red
lipsticks (and other colors) worn by some of Hollywood's brightest
stars. These lipsticks come in adorable, mini-golden bullets no bigger
than your thumb, and they're so girly and glamorous you can't help but
want them. Inside, a stick of lipstick with sharply sculpted edges (for
easy application) offers intense color, just right for this season's
fashions. The actual lipstick is quite moist, semi-matte, and features a
mixture of beeswax, kaolin, carnuba and candelilla to keep lips soft and
sexy. There's even a hint of vanilla to add some fun. You can buy the
lipsticks individually, or in beautifully-packaged Enchanting
Lipstick Sets $75.00/5 (photo). There's a Red Collection featuring
Hollywood reds, a Neutral Collection to flatter warmer toned skin, and
our Pink Collection featured a veritable rose garden of pinks, mauves,
and violets. The ivory and red, hard-sided gift box makes this an
impressive and unique gift for a lipstick lover. Also impressive is the
Besame Lip Glaze $24.00 -- a clear round tube with golden cap
featuring the same, delicate floral design etched into the cap makes
application, luxurious. Inside, the silky, sheer, shimmery,
vanilla-scented gloss adds a subtle and sexy light-reflecting gleam to
your pout. It's also packed full of good-for-your-lips ingredients,
including Vitamins A, C, E, and anti-oxidant green tea extract,
anti-aging marine collagen to helps you lips stay shapely and full, aloe
vera, macadamia nut extract and sweet almond oil to soothe and heal, and
squalene, for moisture. I tried the new, "Pink Diamond," a very
sheer, light pink that added just a bit of flattering tint to my lips,
and lots of shimmery shine. Wear Besame lip products and you will
create lipstick envy all around you!
Lip
stains are the easiest way to wear color, without fear of fading,
streaking or running. They offer more coverage than a gloss, but
without the opaque-ness of lipsticks. The perfect lip stain makes your
lips just a bit brighter and also moister, smoother, and sexier.
Laura
Mercier Lip Stain $20.00 is just such a product. It comes in six
natural colors that are sheer and moist, in large, clear glass pots with
shiny black lids. Inside, a bunch of bennies await: Vitamins C and
E offer anti-aging properties, yarrow extract smoothes, lecithin is a
powerful humectant, while other ingredients make the product easy to
apply, silky, and luxurious on your lips. We tried "Shyl Pink," which
leaves lips looking just a bit pinker than nature made them (and a whole
lot nicer), and "Mulberry," a rich, bee-stung wine that looks
surprisingly sexy, while still looking natural. If your lips are a bit
chapped, a lip stain will give them color without spotlighting obvious
problems. There is also Mocha, Peach Glaze, Scarlett, and Sugar Violet.
TIP: Apply these with your fingertip or a lip brush,
adding an additional layer for a bit more color.
Chicos, new to our reviews this column, is one of
those brands that is dearly loved by those who have happily, discovered
it. It is a specialty retailer of private branded, casual-to-dressy
clothing of which the AdviceSisters happen to be big fans. The clothes
are funky and fun, easy to wear, and amazingly flattering no matter what
your body type. But Chicos also has quite a varied collection of
accessories that look like boutique originals, but are shockingly
inexpensive! The Ornetta Ring $22.00, for example, is a dramatic,
oversized ring of lovely, genuine, multi-natural Jasper, surrounded by a
pretty, matte silver, beaded bezel edge and a wide, adjustable ring
band. It feels substantial, like fine jewelry on your finger, and
the warm, creamy and brown in the stone coordinate perfectly with Fall
colors. When you wear one large, eye-catching accessory, it adds
excitement to any outfit. Big rings are a "must-have" fashion element
for the season, but they must fit well, or they will swivel
uncomfortably around on your finger. This chunky ring
squeezes open and closed, to give you a perfect fit no matter what
size fingers you have. 
Last month we reviewed Acqua by Missoni, the designer's
latest fragrance, which represents the celebration of life and love that
can find , for example, on the Sardinian Seaside and the Mediterranean
sea.
Margherita Maccapani Missoni, representing the third generation
of Missoni women, launched the first fragrance, Missoni, in 2006. This
new fragrance apparently was created to reflect the happy seaside
holidays the Missoni family enjoys. The fragrance succeeds in
being not only a light and happy scent, but a beautifully packaged one
as well. Even a long-lasting scent like Missoni Acqua benefits
from layering, not to mention the benefits of enjoying
beautifully-scented bath & body products. Missoni Acqua Shower Gel
$45.00 6.7 fl. oz
comes in a sleek, clear plastic tube with shiny gold twist open/close
cap that highlights a truly beautiful sea-blue shower gel infused with
silvery shimmer and tiny little bubbles. The rich lather is nicely
scented with Missoni Acqua, and gently cleanses and hydrates skin
so it is soft, smooth, and pampered. For additional Moisturizing
benefits and even more scent layering possibilities, Missoni
Body Lotion $50.00 6.7 fl. oz partners beautifully with the Shower
Gel, in a tall, plastic, opaque turquoise tube with subtle Missoni
zig-zag design, and gold twist open/close cap. The rich, soft, lotion
absorbs very quickly, leaving nothing behind but soft skin and a subtle
scent of
Missoni Acqua. soft, refreshed and hydrated. It's a pure
pleasure that will remind you of happy holidays, all year round.
Two fragrances from amazing designer Marc Jacobs are in our
reviews this month, along with am exciting Marc Jacobs Home Scent (see the
HEALTHY LUXE HOME section, below): Daisy Eau de Toilette $55.00 1.7
fl. oz by Marc Jacobs is a lighthearted fragrance for the
young, and the young at heart. It just launched this Fall, and
it's one of the cutest presentations for fragrance we've ever
seen. A shiny black box is ringed with tiny white daisies.
Inside, a curvy rectangle of clear glass has a remove-able, round gold
cap with three white, plastic daisies with shiny gold centers seemingly
"blooming" out of the top of the bottle! It is so adorable,
I can't stop smiling when I see it! The fragrance is a light,
golden yellow. Although this is a Fall launch, Daisy is light and
fresh, so it's perfect for steamier climates, but will work well with
woolens and jeans, too. The light, fresh, youthful scent includes notes
of wild strawberry, violet leaves, red grapefruit, gardenia, violet,
jasmine, musk, vanilla and white woods. The drydown is delicate and
unobtrusive. Layer Daisy with a Body
Butter, Bubbly Shower Gel, and a luminous Body Lotion, and be
sure to check out the
Daisy website: DaisyMarcJacobs.com with product information,
fun games (e.g.. nurturing your own daisy with pollination, rain, and
sun), and a chance to win great prizes (e.g. a Marc Jacobs handbag)
Debuting this month is a very sexy new fragrance we know you'll want to
get, ASAP. Calvin Klein MAN Eau de Toilette Spray $65.00 3.4 fl oz ,
$48.00 1.7 fl oz. This is a modern, masculine scent, with a
surprising, designer feel. It's a bit spicy and yet, still fresh.
Dubbed a "crisp, spicy wood," it is like nothing else we've tested on
"What Works." It has that clean, fresh scent that modern fragrances
strive for (and men love), but it also has fragrant, sophisticated spice
and rich woods that makes it an original, sexy, unusual fragrance.
The top note include rosemary, mandarin, bergamot, and violet leaf. the
heart has a blend of spices such as bay, nutmeg, incense, and spearmint.
The bottom makes it even more masculine and impressive, with rich woods
such as cypress, guaiac, sandalwood, amberwood and musk. Our male
reviewers reported that the fragrance didn't overwhelm them, but lasted
a long, long time, giving both them and their "audience" something nice
to sniff! Another designer benefit, of course, is the bottle: a
minimalist, thin, striking square of black glossy inlaid plaques and
chrome accents to hold the pale steel-colored fragrance. This new
fragrance also features bath and body items, and even a deodorant. By
the time you read this, Calvin Klein MAN should be in the stores.
Run, and get this new fragrance...you'll feel good and smell great!
Crema Nera (" Black Cream) $328.00 1.76 oz by Giorgio
Armani made its debut during the Paris runway shows last January. I
wasn't there, but according to reports, Mr. Armani was
quoted at the initial news conference for this amazing cream as saying:
"Lots of creams look alike but some are worth more than others."
Some also cost more, too. Despite the cost, many people have been on a
waiting list for this precious product. If you can justify the
cost in your budget, you can now purchase this special, anti-aging cream
in one of the retail stores that carry the Armani Cosmetics line.
Mr. Armani
likes to use scents and ingredients that have some personal meaning to
him, and the exotic and special ingredient in this cream is obsidian. He
apparently encountered this natural, volcanically-created mineral in mud
baths on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, where he has a
vacation home. Men can certainly use this cream as well, but Armani is
developing a specific skincare line for men called "Skin Minerals
for Men," including shaving and cleansing products. Of course, you'll
not only get a superior cream, you'll get a superior presentation.
A stark, glossy, black and white cardboard opens to reveal a matte,
black "sack.' Inside is an impressively designed, shiny, black plastic
jar that twists slightly into a rounded pyramid shape, as a work of art.
Twist open the top to reveal a solid, stark white cream that you can
apply with a shiny, black plastic "spoon." And after all this, what
about the cream? This particular cream contains an Obsidian
Mineral Complex that "Provides skin cells with the energy that their
metabolism requires to function at their optimum level at any age in
life." In short, this exclusive formula helps your skin
regenerate cells for softer and more radiant skin which is beneficial to
any type of skin at any age. One product for every decade? That
certainly makes Armani's approach to skincare, refreshingly
different. My personal experience may differ from someone else's, but as
I applied this cream to my skin, it literally felt as it was alive,
melting into my skin like magic with positively no residue. It left my
combination skin feeling smooth and soft, as it had always been that
way. Obsidian is cool and exotic, and Crema Nera is way
cool and exotic. Even though this is one of the priciest creams I have
reviewed in What Works, I honestly have to report that it's
impressive, and it felt wonderful. With daily use, your skin should
look firmer, denser, younger-looking, and you might shed a few fine
lines and wrinkles along the way, too. 
Another new skincare device is the
RejuvaWand $200.00 It's the first home-use,
skincare system to use both red and infrared light to reduce the signs
of aging. A clinical study, conducted by
Leonardo Rasi M.D., a Fellow of the American Society of Laser Medicine
and Surgery and member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, showed that after a 30 days, 7 out of 10 subjects
showed a 44% improvement in fine lines and facial wrinkles! That's
pretty amazing! The
RejuvaWand is a cool-looking, electronic "wand" that sits
in it's neat recharging well. When you activate the button on the side,
you can choose either red and infrared light that penetrates the skin's
surface and stimulates new cell production and blood flow (you are
supposed rotate red/infrared). This restorative light therapy helps to reverse the
signs of aging, along with a clear, odorless gel (Rejuva-Gel)
that helps the system do it's best work. If this sound fantastic
and easy, it is, but the
downside is that it takes 4 minutes of holding the wand steady to each area
you want to treat (e.g.. crows feet, lip lines) to get results, and you
have to do it for at least a month if you want real results. This isn't
a real hardship, but you're stuck with only one hand with which to do
anything else. If you move and "slip" and the wand loses
contact with your face, you are supposed to re-treat the area. Good things come to
those who wait, and patience is a virtue. Others
who have tried this product longer than I did swear by the results. If
you have a lot of areas to treat, at 4 minutes an area, you'll be
spending
a lot of time with your RejuvaWand, but if you have just a few
problem areas, this device could really be your "magic wand" to
youthful skin! TIP: There's also a trio of good quality
skincare products you can use with or without the system: Rejuva Cleanse, Rejuva Tone and
Rejuva Moisturizer.
Fragrance is not just for your body, it's a way to refresh your home,
and add an elegant touch. Marc Jacobs is known for his unique
scents (e.g.. Grass, Cotton, Rain,) and he's just created a refreshing
scent specifically for the home, called Marc Jacobs Home by
Coty Prestige. The scent is perfect for any room in your house,
blending tropical rain accord, passion flower and beech Amber.
It smells comforting, somehow, just "cool, refreshing, and clean." It is the
type of scent that might remind you of a rain shower, or clean laundry
waving in a light breeze. The Scent Decanter with Sticks $65.00 10 fl oz
(photo) is a fun, modern, and lasting way to add fragrance to your space.
The pale grey/blue wooden sticks absorb the Marc Jacobs Home
fragrance oil, thereby releasing the subtle whiffs of scent into the
air. This room scent will last for months--simply flip the sticks as
needed. The Room Fragrance Mist $65.00 10 fl. oz
is light and inviting, and can also be used to lightly scent your
linens. The substantial, clear glass rectangle with simple, square,
light blue label bordered in navy, is a chic, sleek way to showcase the
pale, blue scent. A black fabric atomizer adds a but of old-fashioned
glamour. For the bathroom or kitchen, what could be more luxe and
pleasurable than a beautifully-scented, Marc Jacobs Home Moisturizing
Hand Wash $30.00 10 fl oz. A chunky, rectangular, glass bottle with
black pump top dispenses a gentle cleanser that also leaves skin feeling
soft, smooth, and hydrated, with just a hint of Marc Jacobs Home scent!
These items are available in September until they're gone...so hurry!
In the summer of 2006 we first reviewed Redken for Men
products, a unique line of products from Redken, always one of our
personal favorite haircare lines. Since then, the company has re-tooled
the line a bit, with steel-grey plastic bottles with black, flip-top
caps, and grey and white lettering punctuated only by a hit of color for
the product name, in bold text. This "new and improved" Redken For
Men haircare line offers customized hair/scalp benefits to
specifically target a man's needs (e.g.. dandruff control) in three
categories: Moisturize, Thicken and Purify. Our male reviewers tried all
three and liked the light, fresh, herbal scent, and the way the products
cleansed, moisturized, and styled quickly and effectively. More
importantly for men, the lines are simple, easy to understand, and easy
to use. That makes them particularly user-friendly and appealing to the
average guy. "Moisturize" (green label) is for normal to dry hair, and includes "Go Clean"
Daily Shampoo 10 fl. oz. $9.95 and "Finish Up"
Daily
Weightless Conditioner $10.95 10 fl. oz. An added plus is that these products have
glycerin for moisture, protein for strength and Provitamin for shine. "Thicken" (orange label)
has a "Densifying Texturing Shampoo $10.95 10 fl. oz. and "Bulk Up"
Thickening Spray $10.95
featuring "thick boost technology" (with style bonding agents
to add fullness and texture, and protein and ceramide to strengthen and
repair) to help fine and thinning hair look
better (in just one application, our reviewer, reported), along with
"macro soothers" that soothe the scalp . The "Purify" line
has Retaliate Shampoo $12.95 to help men
with the tendency to develop dandruff and itchy/flaky scalp to control
it with powerful and effective, Pyrithione Zinc. But the line is good to
his hair, with protein to provide strength, silicone for shine and Bisabol to soothe the scalp. TIP: men who want information
about hair care but feel uncomfortable asking, can get lots of great
info and ideas, including styling and how-to tips, at the
If
you love the fabulous clothes by designer Tracy Reese, take her
unique vision for Fall, and
wear it on your nails too! The utterly lovely and affordable Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Runway
Collection $6.00/each features ten trendy shades that reflect Tracy Reese’s
own runway show, filled with unique, contrasting color pairings. For
example, Reese's models wore a reverse, black and white French
manicure inspired by spectator shoes. As you might expect, the 10
Tracy Reese "prét-à-porter" polishes are
trendy, including intense, blackened and jewel-toned colors.
Super-trendy are the deep blue "Navy Venom" and nearly black plum "Plum
Licorice." I particularly liked the rich, matte purple "The Deepest
Violette. "Alabaster," an off white is the official shade that
walked the runway! For those who want relief from dark colors, we
suggest "Rose Carthane ," a sizzling, metallic coral with just a touch
of pink to keep it Fall-worthy. Other colors include "Baroque
Bronze," a metallic brown, "Grenadine Glaze, a rich metallic pink with a
bit of gold, "Mulberry Glaze," a cool, metallic grape, and "Cerise
Noir," a true Bordeaux. These value-laden polishes are created with a
formula that has a blend of healthy ingredients including Keratin to
strengthen the nails; marine botanicals to condition and nourish;
natural marine pearls for shine; UV protectors to prevent yellowing and
fading; and Silicone for shine. All of the Sally Hansen Salon Nail
Lacquers are also free of Toluene, DBP and free Formaldehyde!
TIP: Create the reverse manicure seen on the runway: • Apply a
smoothing base coat. • Apply two thin, even coats of Sally Hansen
Salon Nail Lacquer in "Alabaster" making sure it dries completely •
Turn hand to be polished towards yourself and apply Sally Hansen
Salon Nail Lacquer in "Black Patent" ¼” from the cuticle in
the shape of a smile. A trick for getting a smooth line is to apply the
polish from right to left and then from left to right to create the
smile (or use Sally Hansen self adhesive French Manicure
Guides. Complete by filling in the remainder of the nail with Black
Patent in three downward strokes - center, side, side. Allow this to dry
approx. five minutes. • Apply Sally Hansen top coat.