Sally Hansen Lip Lab-Lovely Lip Treats for Luscious Lips

I never leave the house without at least a couple of lip glosses in my purse, because it's the easiest way to "freshen up" when my energy and image is wilting. But lip glosses aren't just beautifiers anymore, they can also pack in lots of lip-loving pampering and protectants.

Lip Lab by Sally Hansen has a variety of pampering products, some of which treat specific lip challenges, and others offer a good variety of color and shine options. Four items specifically offer treatment at just $9.95 each: Prep & Perfect Lipcare; Overnight Lip Recovery; Lip Fix Lip Repair; and PM Lip Plumper. There are also two Lip Plumping Products ($9.95 each) that offer color as well as volume: Lip Blush Plumping Balm and Gentle Plumping Lip Treatment. For simply beautiful color and shine, two fantastic Lip Glosses $6.95 each, delight: a sparkling Lipnotic Gem Gloss and a Satin Effects Lip Gloss.

Here's a rundown:

Fading & Bleeding: One of the challenges of wearing lip gloss is keeping it on your lips. Prep & Perfect Lipcare locks on lip color and helps prevent it from feathering, bleeding and fading, thanks to a botanical moisture shield that makes a "canvas" if you will, to give the color something smooth to adhere to. It also smoothes, moisturizes and conditions lips, so you have more reasons to use it. Simply stroke the wanded applicator over your bare lips and then swipe on your favorite lipstick or lip gloss. The product feels soft and moisturizing, and your investment of a few seconds before applying your lip color will pay dividends for hours, allowing you to "set it and forget it" when it comes to your lip color.

Lip Lines and Wrinkles: If your lips and the area surrounding them is dry or "maturing," you already know that keeping any lip color from running into the tiny lines and crevices is a challenge. Line Fix Lip Repair can help, with a formula that hydrates and renews lips, and instantly feels in line, so they won't plague you. A high tech marine collagen and sodium hyaluronate (youth-boosting ingredients) helps protect against moisture loss in a unique, clear, odorless gel delivered in a "dial-up" silvery pen. used regularly, the tiny lines look and feel less prominent. Keep one at your desk and "dial up" moisture, often TIP: use this before applying your lip color as well as the Prep & Perfect, for impressive results.

Dy, Cracked Lips: If your lips are very dry, you can undo some of the damage while you sleep and wake up to smoother lips by using Overnight Lip Recovery. All it takes is seconds. Simply apply the the clear, odorless treatment (dispensed from a cool-looking silvery slant-tipped tube). This intensive lip treatment (with a slight, minty scent) has oligopeptides (to boost lip fullness) Vitamins A, C and E, and yucca, to help deal with disasters such as dry and peeling lips. It hydrates and heals, then protects against future moisture loss. My dry lips felt softer, and continued to feel moist the next day.

Plumper Lips: You can also sleep your way to plumper lips with PM Lip Plumper. A 24-hour time-released retinol & peptide complex actually helps to turn back the signs of aging, while collagen boosts moisture and offers plumping benefits. The slightly vanilla-y overnight plumping formula is fragrance and irritant-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist tested. This does help give the appearance of poutier lips, but unlike a lot of lip plumpers, it won't tingle too much, so you can sleep without disturbance. It comes in a blue squeeze tube with a pointy, silver cap. Use it every evening before you go to bed or whenever you really feel like it. You may not see instant results, but after continued use, Advice Sisters reviewers reported lips looked more youthful. You may not be able to completely turn back the hands of time, but if you're spending a lot of time in the sun this Summer, and/or you're over a certain age, every little bit helps.

Sally Hansen doesn't scrimp on the glam factor in their lip glosses, either. The Gentle Plumping Lip Treatment comes in six easy-to-wear, super-shiny, sheer colors that offer just a hint of tint: "Tender" (shimmery rose); "Serene" (sheer berry); "Happy" (shimmery light pink); "Playful" (shimmery peach) and "Tease" (shimmery nude); and "Clear." The silky, gel gloss is gorgeous! The light-reflecting properties of the gloss, plus a peptide complex and time-released hydrospheres make lips look fresh, full, and pouty-- without pain. And the packaging has a tiny oval mirror right on the tube, so you can see what you're doing without funbling for a mirror--a nice little touch.

The Sally Hansen Lip Blush Plumping Balm also help plump up lips with a slightly tingly, clear, super-shiny gel gloss that is dispensed from a soft-sided squeeze tube with a brush tip (nice touch). After the gloss is glowing on your lips, making them look pouty, the color develops to a sheer, pink gloss. Unlike some of these "mood" glosses that are activated by your unique body chemistry, this one appears to stay rosy, not garish--and that's great. But that's not all: The formula has peptides and marine-filling spheres that enhance the plumping effect, plus natural antioxidants that help condition dry and/or thin lips. Color, condition and plumping all in one easy-to-use-tube makes this a "must-have" in your purse.

The Satin Effects Lip Gloss gives you even more pampering color options. This wanded tube of gloss comes in a slim-slant-tipped squeeze tube, dispensing a silky, pearly, blendable color gloss that you can slick on almost sheer, or add more for nearly metallic and super-shiny color. There are ten colors with sexy names like "Seduction" (rosed-copper); "Pleasure" (light peachy-pink), "Romantic" (shimmery bronze); and "Intrigue" (red/rose).

I love shimmery lip glosses for their light, reflecting, lip-enhancing properties, so I've saved my favorite Sally Hansen Lip Gloss review for last: The Lipnotic Gem Gloss is a fantastic, super-shiny, super-sexy, glittery gem of a product that comes in a slim, wanded tube. These sheer glosses give your lips a wet and glassy finish that actually hydrates and softens, with sunflower seed oil, minerals, and vitamins. The effect off this super-sheer, super-shiny, gloss is dazzling. If your lips are in good shape (thanks to the Sally Hansen products I mentioned above) these glosses are "trés Jolie" (as in "pretty" and "Angelina"). If your lips aren't quite what you'd like, these glosses do what "soft touch" does for photographs...dull the rough edges so all you see is beauty. They're so inexpensive, but so amazingly great! There's "Precious" (clear) " to wear alone or enhance virtually any other lip color (I like mine with dark colors for night-time glam without glitter) and nine other color including: "Bling Bling" (berry), "Lavish" (plum-so "in" right now) and "Treasure" (a perfect, sheer pink).

What's exceptional about these Sally Hansen products is that not a thing will set you back more than the cost of a sandwich and soda, but they will help your lips look like a million. Mine were so improved after just trying these products to write this review for you, I am hooked. Value and effective products are even more welcome in these economic times.

Fashion Week--Must-Haves

In my post of February 1st on this blog I wrote: "for 7 days those of us involved in Fashion Week will live in an altered reality. There will be memorable people to meet, and some who aren't so nice. There will be connections to make, and some that only last for the amount of time you are standing on the line to enter the show. We will know what's coming in fashion, but we can't know what's coming for the next 7 days until we live them.

Fashion Week is over. Every season I've attended, I find the experience to be like a roller-coaster ride. First, there's the anticipation. Then, there's the growing excitement as the first shows reveal a glimpse of our fashion future (for the next season, at least). Mid-week, there's exaustion: "Why am I subjecting myself to the intensity of this?" The intensity continues to build as the shows draw to a close. Who will show us something new and exciting? Whose collection will flop? What other news will affect us? This year, the death of Anna Nicole Smith, and the bitterly cold weather, were two big topics of conversation.

On Friday, after all of the above, I always feel a bit of a let-down as I bid farewell to the tents, my 7-day home-away-from-home. But the title of this blog post is "Fashion Week Must Haves." Here's what I simply couldn't be without --- followed by things I would definitely ditch (if it were up to me), and a few closing thoughts on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion Week Must-Haves:

Clothes: really warm coat (will definitely get dirty since it will be dragged on floors, spilled on backstage, and rumpled in standing room). Comfortable shoes (heels tend to turn into flats, and then into sneakers as the week goes by) . Gel pads for comfortable shoes (no shoe is really comfortable after you've been standing all day). Layered clothing (you're going to get HOT, and then COLD, and then HOT, and then COLD...)!

Handbag: this is the second season that I've used a Butler Bag to carry all my essentials. It is sturdy, with inside compartments that let you see exactly what is inside without fumbling and fishing. It has seen me through travel, interviews, launch parties, and even a few dinner dates!

Emergency Kit: Tape (for everything from a broken camera to a ripped hem), Batteries (for the two digital cameras, audio voice recorder, and MP3Player I carry), Aleve and Aspirin (for aching feet and bones); Pens and pads (lots of them)...the MAC booth is a godsend but thick-barrelled pens are easier on the hands when you're taking lots of notes; A great, lightweight tote (for all the above)

Makeup Must-haves: Lots of lip balm and treatments (Einstein Lip Theory, Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Lip Pout and Re-Storation Lip Envy, Damage Reveral Lip Treatment by Patricia Wexler, M.D., ANEW Clinical plump & Smooth by Avon), Hair products (Redken, Got2B, Warren Tricomi, Aveda, Bumble & Bumble), great brushes, and a hair straightener by Maxius.
Eye shadow that won't run, crease, or quit: Stila, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, NARS, MAC)
Blush that won't run, crease, or quit (Boots No.7, Tarte, Jillian Dempsey for Avon). A great foundation and base that won't run, crease, or quit: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet, Anew Age Transforming Foundation, Biotherm Light!). A great Mascara that won't run, flake, or fade: best of the best: Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Bourjois, Clinique...Q-Tips!....Great Hand and Body Creams (Zia Age-Defying Hand Treatment, Essie Smoothies, Lady Primrose Royal Extract Body Creme, Phytomer BodyRexlax).

Food: Thanks to DHL in the tents for the coffee, I really appreciated it. Still, you've got to eat sometime. If you don't want to leave the tents, and can't squeeze your way into the little "cafe" area inside, seasons past there were sponsors offering power bars, yogurt, mints, etc. This year, we got to look at gorgeous cars, but there wasn't a snack in site. Bring your own water, too. These are still given out, but bring your own water bottle or juice pack, if you want to be sure you are properly hydrated.

Business Cards: I can't believe how many people don't have them (or enough of them) for Fashion Week!

...Michael from New Jersey, a firefighter and Fashion Week Security Guard --and ALL the security guards and service personnel who are polite and patient (you guys have a rough job, and we all know it)! ...and Michael....definitely do enter yourself as a model for the next fire-fighters calender...you'll be a hunky hit!

DEFINITELY DITCH:

Overuse of the word "chicettes," chicas," "fashionistas" and "fabulous" (once or twice is ok but "gag me" when it's used more often)

Non-essential guests who get great seats, while members of the press and the buyers are standing in the back. Also impossibly long standing room lines that are first come first served. Suggestion to IMG: Why not let working press (who paid for the ability to report on the shows) move up to the front of the standing room line if they do not have assigned seats and the standing room line is very long? Press need to get in to to their jobs more than the merely curious do.

The ("new") idea that "by invitation only" (and you didn't get one) means you are apparently less "fabulous" than some other folks, while you are in full view of them (and a sign that says "be fabulous").

Daily suites once open to all with creds, now mystifying if you didn't get the "missive"

Internet writers who report on shows and parties as a clique of cronies, pretending that they were flooded with invitations (but only one person really gets in and files a report for all the others "as-if" ). Sharing info is ok, but please keep the internet credible and honest, and say your content is second hand.

Hotel lobbies where a "fash week" invitation gets you through to the elevators or else, you're left out in the cold.

Cold Weather...can't wait for Spring!

Some Final Thoughts On Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion week is like a wedding: it brings out the best, and the worst, in the best in people. Mostly it brings out the best in them...but there are always a few exceptions. There are new connections to be made, and the type of instant bonding that takes place when you're all in the same place and situation, together. Easy laughter over a drink or a shared seat in the Lycra Lounge. Alas, there are also attendees who feel more "entitled" than others. they are rude and pushy. They take other people's assigned seats and refuse to move. Some even steal products out of goodie bags that or take entire bags that don't belong to them. We're not just talking one thing or one bag....-I saw a man literally take an ENTIRE ROW of little bags off the back row at a major show! How many beauty products or T-shirts could you really need?

And, while my own visibility continues to grow, I'm still aware that the fashion week I experience as a member of the Internet press is different from that of the very high profile press. I'm in the majority of journalists who attend to do a job, and pass the information on to people who will probably never get closer to the tents than seeing them on TV. We do not arrive in furs and limo at the last minute, waving an invite with a seat assignment already on it (front row, or second row at the very worst). We do not walk directly to our seats...we wait..and wait...and wait some more. We do have a shared experience with the "Annas" and "Patricks" and other "must-have" front-row faces, though: we are united in our interest in being part of the experience, and viewing the newest clothes and trends.

I feel fortunate to receive press credentials to cover these shows as I have done for a number of seasons (I believe that I was one of the first Internet writers to receive credentials). I feel even more fortunate that I have a network of related professionals who know my work, understand the power of the Internet (and the power of my international audience), and respect my professionalism,. Due to them, I was able to cover more of backstage than ever before. My sincere appreciation to all of you that made it possible to pass information and experiences on to my readers.

My writing is always first-hand. If I don't experience something, I don't pretend that I did, just to boost ratings or readers. My style is 100% "up-close-and-personal." So....to the designers and sponsors who don't know me or are not sure they need my online coverage need to, let me show you what I can do. If you, or any of your assistants/friends/staff/colleagues/publicists/clients read The Advice Sisters through this blog, my web site, the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review columns, my bi-monthly Enews, or my Myspace.com page and like what has been written about other designers, maybe next year I will get close enough to your clothes, products or services to report on them! Please contact me and put me on your media list.

See you NEXT season!

Cynthia Rowley, Rocks it with Redken and Avon

Cynthia Rowley's runway show at the great and glamorous Gotham Hall was one of my favorites last season, and this year didn't disappoint either. I'll talk about the clothes briefly here, but will be adding more about them in a full feature in a few weeks focusing also on the hair (by fabulous REDKEN) and the makeup (a brilliant, new Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection). I checked to see who is reading this block, and discovered that along with all the readers the Advice Sisters have in English speaking countries, the past few entries in this blog have been translated into a number of languages, the most popular being French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Turkish, Korean, Dutch; Flemish, Arabic, and Greek ! I am flattered that someone would take the time to translate "The Advice Sisters!" If you are visiting this blog, please let me know. Leave a COMMENT! I'd appreciate it.

But back to Cynthia Rowley: As I walked through the backstage area, I spied a group of people with needle and thread, quietly stitching together what seemed to be a 30-foot brunette braid (3o foot braid?!). I was informed by REDKEN lead stylist Rodney Cutler that this giant braid was for the finale of the show. It would be attached to the head of just one model, and the rest of the models would hold it as the walked their last looks down the runway. As they stiched the braids together to make one long chain, it writhed and wiggled like a giant snake emerging from primordial ooze. It was a bit freaky, actually, but looked great on the runway and got murmurs and a few giggles from the audience.

As you might have already guessed, it was braids that were the theme of the hair for the Cynthia Rowley show. Rodney didn't do "pigtail" type braids, but instead, sophisticated, sleek, shiny hair with no part held tight to the head by a number of REDKEN styling products (see a view of the products below). How much and what was used depended upon the texture and length of the model's hair, but as you can see from the photo on the right, all those REDKEN products may each girls' hair sleek and shiny. The finished look was youthful (as are Cynthia Rowley's clothes), but still sophisticated, fresh and pretty, not silly, wacky, or out of place.

Actually, I got the the Gotham Hall early, before my REDKEN contacts arrived, but discovered that most of my contacts from the public relations firm Tractenberg, were already in place at the doors and inside the backstage area (they were handling the PR for AVON and for the press reception for the Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection) after the show. I was eager to see it.

AVON has several new collections that are quite beautiful, and the one For the Cynthia Rowley show is stunning! You are going to want to buy all o fit. As luck with have it, the lead on the collection, Jillian Dempsey, had just given birth to twins a few days prior, so she had her friend, makeup artist Tina Turnbow do the model's makeup instead. FYI: Tina learned her craft by assisting celebrated makeup artists such as Kay Montano and Pat McGrath, and works with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, and Joan Allen, among others.

As with many of the makeup looks for Fall, this one for Cynthia Rowley is all about the EYES (are you getting the theme for Fall, 2007 from all these blog entries?) . I had the opportunity to see Tina apply the makeup to the first model and explain it to her assistants. I was sitting down among them (maybe not such a good idea, but I knew I'd been on my feet for hours, and it was a free chair). At one point, Tina suddenly stopped what she was doing, and looked right at me : "Who are YOU?" she said in a voice that reminded me of the Caterpillar on the Hookah in Alice in Wonderland. "Uh, Oh, I'm a writer and reporter" I mumbled (as humble as Dorothy adressing the Wizard). Thankfully, one of the lovely women from Tractenberg confirmed my reason for being there and once the mystery was cleared up. Tina went right back to work, and I went right back to work too, taking notes!

The new, AVON Cynthia Rowley makeup collection is remarkable, not just for it's wearable and quite beautiful palette, but also because it translated uniquely to each model. I'm not going give away the secrets to getting this beautiful Cynthia Rowley makeup look from AVON today....you'll have to wait until my feature on the show is posted on the Advice Sisters Web Site http://www.advicesisters.net....but I will say that the collection will be available through AVON for Fall 2007 and it will work it's magic for you as well *Watch my FEATURES PAGE on advicesisters.net http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html for a complete description of how to get the goods, and do the look (coming in a few weeks).

The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). As with most of the shows I've seen this week, the focus is all on the eyes. This time, in a palette of violet and grey with some shimmer and lots of mascara. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is a thousand times more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite must have for your Fall makeup wardrobe.

As you can see from the model above, the eyes are the thing. The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). Eyes were done in a palette of violet and grey (with some shimmer) and lots of mascara. There was just a bit of pink blush to warm up the face. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is much more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite "must have" for your Fall makeup wardrobe.