| APPEALING AUTUMN EYES: Shu Uemura kicks off our
column, and it's 117th makeup collection, Cristaux, with colors that evoke the majesty
& glamour of Autumn. The Eye Shimmer $15.00 applies so effortlessly from the
squeeze tube that it literally "melts"perfectly into your skin, then stays put
with gorgeous, true, color. Frozen Dew is a subtle Khaki Green we loved. Ditto
the warm shimmer of "Copper Branch."Icy Veil is a pretty shimmery beige perfect
for highlights. Not in the collection, but right for Fall are pressed Eye Shadow $18.00
colors "Grey" which is really more light a shimmery soft brown, and
"White," a glimmered-pearl for highlights and drama.
The only thing better than one pretty purple,
is two! We liked Avon True Color Powder Eye Shadow Duo $4.25 in
"Violet Smoke" which will complement Fall wardrobe colors while adding a pretty,
jewel-toned color to lids, pretty light violet as a complimenting higlight. Create the
"smoky eye" look or just accentuate and line lids with dual-purpose, dual-tipped
pencil/smudger In a Blink! Line & Eye Shadow Pencil $8.00 "Violet
Smoke."
Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Shadow
Palette $45.00 is an updated version of her always sophisticated, subtle shadows.
We didn't think you could improvie them, but this collection gets the blue ribbon!
The compact is long, chic, and sleek, and Includes a full-sized, high-quality, dual-ended
shadow/liner brush (not one of those baby "travel" ones that are hard to
handle). Inside, four matte natural shadows and one velvety, dark brown liner help you
create fool-proof, not-quite- nude (better!), eyes.
We eyed Apt. 5 Eye
Shadow Duos $4.00 (pun intended) and liked what we saw: chic, clear lucite
compacts, cutting edge-colors, a modest price! Our favorites for Fall is
"SD-17" a deep-rose/brown shadow which doubles as a liner, and a soft, pearled
rose highlighter that also works as a shadow! and "SD-12" a fresh light
green paired with a handsome, deep purple liner shadow. Reviwers also liked
"SD-18," a deep blue-grey liner with a very light grey shadow which works as a
highlighter or lid color.
When we asked reviewers if they liked
Benefit Powder Shadows $14.00 they said "Aye" (pun intended). Benefit
shadows comes in round containers with clear lids, so you can easily choose just the right
one of 22 colors. The shadows are varied and beautiful, and all have cute names like
Pass the Potatoes" (a medium cream), "Best in Show" (deep amethyst),
"Half Past Midnight" (deep charcoal grey) and our favorite: "Trust Fund
Baby" (tawny beige).
Victoria's Secret Beauty Eye Artistry
Shadowing Palette $17.00 looks like a true work of modern art, framed in a
substantial, clear, lucite square. We thought it was so great looking we didnt' want to
disturb the shadows, inside. We did, and found that WE looked like a work of art when we
finished applying the four shades in the 'Pastel Plums" palette - medium and dark
rose, soft grey, and deep purple for accent or liner. The presentation is amazing, but the
shadows offer serious color and quality. A real Fall find!
Biotherm Play On Eye Shadow $14.00
makes velvety, versatile shadows that are sheer, so you can create tons of great looks
from just a few, regardless of your skin tone. There are 28 great color to choose from. To
compliment the earthy, Fall colors we like "#`120" (soft khaki),
"#213" (medium blue), "#220" ( deep greyed-blue), and "#430"
(a deep reddish not quite marroon, purple) The shdows apply smoothly and cleanly,
are fragrance free, and are allergy and opthalmologist tested!
LuLu Beauty, the makeup line
evocative of1930's Hollywood glamour, debuts in our column this Fall. They're
introducing Eye Shadow $17.00 in cute, shiny black compacts sprinkled
with silver stars to make you feel like a glamor queen, even if you're just getting ready
for every day activities. There are lots of fun colors with "Hollywood" isnpired
names, and the shadow is luxurious, silk, and high-quality. "Ingenue" is a soft
greyed-green that will flatter just about everyone, and compliment your seasonal wardrobe.
Also making it's debut is Lash Creme $17.00 in "Belle De Jour, a glossy deep black
that has tons of "good for you" ingredients to protect and pamper lashes, and
make your eyes "pop."
THE BEST
BLUSHES:
Shu Uemura Glow On $22.00
looks dark in the compact, but goes on sheer to layer as little or as much as
suits you. "Wine" is a slightly shimmery plum-brown that gives cool
complexions needed to supplement a fading tan and still look pretty and natural,
once paler skin returns. "Brown, " a rusty--pink, will do the same
for warm toned skin.
Bobbi Brown updates
her Cream Blush Stick $25.00 for Fall, with natural,
flattering colors in eight tones to suit virtually everyone.We liked the way the
generously-sized sticks smoothed onto our cheeks and created a believable flush, not a
harsh "rash." We particularly like "Desert Rose," a warmed
pink, "Suede," a soft rusty-nude, and "Clay," a warmed brown,"
that even out and flatter a fading tan and will still look great later in the
season. Add additional but natural warmth to your face with "Pale Pink" and
"Coral" to freshen up a pale complexion. The sheer, cream formula that stays
true to color lets you add a little or a lot, as you wish!
Want everyone to think you're in love? Try Avon
True Color Powder Blush $8.00. Inside the generously-sized compact is an oblong
of sheer color that last and stays true. "Rose Clustre" gives you a happy,
"love-stuck" flush that perks up cool complexions. We didn't review it,
but it's sister, "Earthen Rose" will likely have the same effect on warm-toned
skin.
There's nothing like a blush that looks nearly
perfect on everyone. One that fits this description is Victoria's Secret
Beauty Sheer Blushing Powder $15.00 in "Honey" from their limited
edition, "Mod About You" Fall collection. The large,
sheer, silky square of honeyed-medium pink can be layered for a little, or a lot, so it
looked great on everyone. Better still, it corrected fading tans, warmed up sallow skin,
and dressed up pale complexions for an evening-out. Better buy two - once your
girlfriend tries yours, she'll want it for herself.
We can't resist the cute names given to each
compact of Benefit Power Blush $20.00. How could you NOT feel
glamorous while applying "Getting Finer Every Day" - a sexy, rose blush?
Two other suggestions to warm up your complexion and compliment Autumn colors are:
"It's So Hard To Be Humble," a stunnning, reddened-brown, and
"Take A Picture It'll Last Longer," a feminine medium pink.
NEW
LIPSTICKS: Nothing modernizes a look or perks up a gloomy day
like lipstick.
Shu Uemura Rouge 4
$20.00 is shiny, silky, long-lasting, and full of color. We just can't say
enough about this luxurious lipstick worth every single penny! One new lipstick is
the ultimate accessory! Our favorite from Fall's Cristaux Collection was
"#776 Burnt Orange" which produced a glossy brown glimmer (not orange).
"#947 Creamy Winter Rose" is a medium rose that gives enough color to flatter
a fading summer tan, but won't look garish on cool, pale winter skin. Those with
deeper, cool complexions will love"#279 Dusk Pink" a deep pink-plum and
"#165 Deep Frosted Brown" which really is really a dark-reddened pink."
Avon Ultra Color Rich
Renewable Lipstick $6.50 feels great on your lips-a silky treat with great
colors at a not-big price. We tried "Opening Night" A shiny, pearly
browned-red that will add color now to fading tans, work well through the Winter. This
product will glide over dry, chapped lips to make them loveable, again. The
fantastic, sensuous feel is also a feature of Avon Glazewear Liquid Lip Color
$6.00 . We tried "Gold Digger" which is more gold than metallic.
Use it alone, or to warm and soften the color of last years' brighter reds and plums.
Benefit Lipstick $14.00
is a fun "find," for it's whopping 40 colors in sheers, suedes, perals
and creams. A benefit ding tans, work well through the Winter. It won't be hard for you to
find your special color- this type of selection is a lipstick lovers paradise. We narrowed
our choices to: "Bahama Mamma" a sheer, pearly browned pink,
"Rawhide," a soft, medium-tan, and "Bingo," a deep browned-maroon to
flatter deeper complexions or add definite drama to pale skin.
Lulu Beauty Lip Lustre $17.00 in
"Ruby" has a shimmery, super-shiny, intense ruby color that seem to be inspired
by Dorothy's ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz. If you want instant glamour, all you have
to do is apply is this alone, or over another deep red!
We love lip glosses. They're fun, sexy, and
make your lips feel great. Victoria's Secret Shining Kisses Lip Gloss $11.00 each
offers a quintent of gorgeous gloss types,each with it's own, definite personality.
Shining Kisses Sheer Lip Gloss
is the perfect natural accessory -pure, clear shine. For intense color plus shine,
Shining Kisses Creamy Lip Gloss is your choice - try "Olivia," a
pretty, coral. Shining Kisses Shimmering Lip Gloss gives you color plus a
shimmery shine to dress up day to evening. Ditto Shining Kisses Metallic Lip Gloss.
"Morgan," a metallic plum, flattered everyone. Shining Kisses Iridescent
Lip Gloss adds sheer color and a pretty, pearly shine. We suggest
"Isabelle," a light apricot that looks great alone, or layered to soften a
darker color. We also loved Victorias Secret Beauty Lip Artistry High-Gloss Lip
Laquer $12, a square of clear lucite containing a generously-sized, multi-colored
gloss that looks like a spash-art" Swish the colors together to get a wine,
nude or red gloss We also like Victorias Secret Beauty Mod About You Lip Duo
$15.00, another Fab, Fall find. One end lines, the other contains a silky,
full-coverage lipstick. There are three shades, Our pick?
"Ravishing/Sizzle." a sexy rose-plum with a coordinating brown liner. Very
SEXY! These products are all limited edition so rush to buy - they won't last long!
FRAGRANCE FINDS: The
changing temperature and heavier clothes require stronger, more sensuous scents. Here are
some we like for Fall:
Benefit Maybe Baby eau de
toilette spray $46.00 is described as a "sparkling floral."
There's a lot to like about this flirty, youthful scent. Top notes of apricot
and white ginger blend with lychee, bergamot and cyclamen, with base notes of white musk,
Himalayan poppy, and warm peach to make a fruity-floral cocktail that feels right for
sweater weather and romantic nights. The bottle is outstanding, too: a sensuous,
curvy clear glass orb contains the light peach colored-perfume - a real asset to your
dressing table.\
New for Fall from Clinique is
SIMPLY Fragrance 1.7 ml $39.50, 3.5 ml. $53.50. It is called a
"modern oriental," initially a light spice that quickly "warms" into
something more exotic but gentle...evocative of "green tea."
In actuality, the scent is created by petals of white dew-laden flowers,. soy milk (gives
a bit of warmth without being overpowering), and toasted soy nut and sandalwood.
It's called "SIMPLY" but it is anything but..and really fabulous. WE call it
interesting, pleasing, and complex. Let your special man try it, too--he'll love it!
Definitely all-woman is the new, Victoria's
Secret Fragrance,"Breathless" .5 oz purse spray $25.00, 1.0z spray #35.00
and 2.5 oz spray $45.00. Inside a sexy, curvy glass spray bottle is a
decidedly-feminine, super floralL a heady, girly mix of orange blossoms, neroli petals,
young tangerine buds, mixed with sandalwood, cashgora essence and soft muck. The result,
we think, is a romantic, special occasion fragrance to wear when you really want HIM to
notice you. Give a bottle as a shower gift - it's sure to enhance romance!
HAIR HELPERS:
Summer can be especially brutal on colored or
permed hair. Phyto Phytomist Instant Hydrator With White Lotus Flowers $22.00 delivers
an instant RX. Sunflower Extract protects the hair shaft, Red Algae guards against
pollutants, Keratin amino acids smooth, detangle and shine, and white lotus flower helps
preserve your hair's moisture. Just a few sprays of this leave-in treatment after
shampooing, or in-between, will keep your hair from looking like straw. |
as
well, saving space and money - great thinking!
DON'T
WORRY...BATHE HAPPY: There's nothing nicer than waking up or winding down with a
luxe bathing experience. For a little lift, replace your summer bath & body
products with new scents and formulas to suit the change of season.
New to our "What
Works" reviews is LUSH Cosmetics. They're handmade in the UK,
Italy, Canada, South America and Japan, in their own production facilities, so that every
product is fresh. Socially conscious, this company doesn't test on animals. We
tried Bath Bombs $4.80 - large orbs of fanstatic color which, tossed
in a tub, turn it into a spa experience. The "Sex" Bomb is shocking pink
with a lavender top. It's scented with subtle, sexy jasmine, combined with sage to
calm, and ylang ylang to soften skin. All orange "Phuket" refers to an
Island near Thailand. It's exotic all right - corridander, coconut and orange oil
blend into a sensuous experience that is meant to be shared!
BeautiControl never
ceases to amaze us! Their new, Margarita Spa Collection smells like the
real thing - sans alcohol. Be transported to "Margaritaville" every day
with this yummy, unique bath and body collection. Start by pampering your tired,-
toes with Salty Margarita Foot Scrub $16.00, a buffer that also
"warms" as it exfoliates away dry skin. Soothe with Frozen Margarita
Food Creme $16.00 that cools as it hydrates. Step into the shower or tub and turn
it into fun-time with Top Shelf Margarita Shower Gel $16.00, a bubbling
cleanser that makes any shower, "Happy Hour." Pamper your whole body with Creamy
Margarita Body Lotion $16.00 which can also be used as a massage cream.
Need a gift for a special man, too? How about packaging these with a bottle of
Margarita Mix, two glasses, and some salt...great things WILL happen!
Not Soap Radio
has the cutest ideas in bath products! New are two ooey-gooey bottles of bubble bath
meant for adults, but with a definitely young-at-heart slant (each of four fragrances
deals with resolving a major childhood anxiety). Not Soap Radio Goop Hugs to Go
$11.95 smells exactly like a vanilla-y sugar cookie - good enough to eat -- but
don't! Take a glob of the sticky, orange "glop"l, smush it around in your hands,
and put it under the tab in your bath- it's instantly a bubble bath. You'll feel
"loved" even when you're out in the real world.Not Soap Radio Goop I Am
Mad $11.95 nsmells like fruit punch. The clear, red "glop" also makes
bathtime relaxing. Enjoy either alone, with your kids, or with....?
Elemis is
being reviewed for the first time in this column. "Strong but Sweet" is how we'd
describe the 'Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow $54.00 which
brings the high-end spa experience, home (for a lot less, too). This is a seriously
exfoliator, that smells like a sweet floral but packs a whallop (use gentle, circular
motions) on dead, dry skin. Especially good before using a self-tanner..and we love the
pretty, burgundy glass jar. For a bona-fide sexy bath treat, just 15 drop of Elemis
Exotic Island Flower Bath Oil $43.00 followed by an application of Elemis Exotic
Island Flower Body Balm $43.00 will take you on a fantasy "escape" without
leaving home. Your room and body will be corered with the heady, pungent scents of
florals like YlangYlang, Jasmine, Osmanthus and Vanilla. These luxe, pampering products
would make a very special gift for a friend, a well-deserving mother or sister, or of
course, for yourself!
NEW,"NOW" NAILS: Whether you like pearl, pales, glimmer, glamour or
sheers, we've picked the cream of the crop of Fall nail colors. Enjoy!
Although AVON Nailwear Nail Enamel $4.00 is a modestly-priced product, it
goes on smoothly and is seriously anti-chip, just like the luxe brands. We tried
Opening Night," a shimmery, medium rose that is universally flattering, right for
Fall and into the holidays.
We love the odd-shaped
half flat, half rounded bottle of Shu Uemura Nail Enamel $16.00. We love the fast
drying, shiny, easy-to-apply, long-lasting color that is inside. From the Fall Cristaux
collection we suggest "Arctic Light" - pearly, sheer, shimmery, iridescent pink
that is subtle enough to wear right for now, and all through the Fall and holiday
season. On the other end of the color spectrum try "Gloaming," a
beautiful, pearled light brown which will look great on virtually everyone.
GET ALL-OUT GLAMOUR! Dress up should be fun,
so don't be afraid to try some of these glittery, shimmery, and sexy new products.
Tip: Glam products don't work at the office, and are best used for special occasions and
parties. "Glam" doesn't mean gaudy, so use sparingly.
"Spicy
tangerine" is what our reviewers called the limited edition Origins
Ginger Glimmer Whipped Body Cream Nailslicks $30.00. Grape seed and
olive oil smooth and soften skin, while tiny bits of mica provide a subtle.all-over-body
shimmer which is subtle enough to wear in the daytime. We suggest applying it right after
bath or shower to get ready for whatever event lies ahead! For more fun scents and
glamour, try Origins Gloomaway Glistening Grapefruit Body Body Power $20.00,
a subtly-citrussy scent with glimmery bits of golden mica to help you shine. The
power is just one piece of an entire line of eight fun, limited edition Origins bath
and body products.By them all and use them throught the Fall and the holiday season. Then,
they're gone.
FABULOUS KITS: We love kits for their
portability, flexibility, and for fun. For travel, to tote to work, or for
makeup-in-a minute, ease at home, try these!
Sue Devitt
Studios is mamins A and D. good for travel and the gym and a wonderful
space-saver, too!
FALL FIXES FOR BEAUTY PROBLEMS:
Did your sweetie leave
you crying? Do you get too little sleep? Party too hard but have to go out
anyway? Come October, you'll have a new way to banish bags, dark circles, and signs
or fatigue--at least under your eyes! Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask for Puffy
Eyes $20.00 has akie vera and other good-for-you ingredients to calm, reduce
redness, soothe, and de-puff the eye area in just 5-10 minutes. If you wish, you can leave
a little on as an all-day treatment, or follow with your favorite eye cream. We liked the
calming green gel, the slightly tingly sensation on our skin, and best of all, the fast
results!
It is amazing that an
unassuming black compact containing a yellow cream could do so much to solve a common
beauty problem - uneven-toned eyelids that make eyeshadow seem "muddy." We
applied BeneFit Lemon AID $18.00, our freckled lids and they
disappeared in an instant! Better yet, our shadow looked smooth and true to
color...and lasted! In a pinch, this lemon-yellow corrector makes a great lid color all on
it's own. Grab it and go! Another great product, especially if your brows are
naturally light or sparse, is the too-too cute Benefit Brow Zings
$26.00. This little kit makes it easy to groom, style and color your
eyebrows. The kit has pigmented wax to tame, complimentary shadow to color. It comes in
four different compacts for blonde, brunette, redheads, and very dark brown hair. Also
included is a nifty little tweezer with angled sidesm and two tiny brushes - angle for the
wax, rounded for color. We just loved this one - it's perfect for purse or travel, and
would make a really cute gift for a friend, too!
Lush Solid Shampoos are
sold by weight. Since it's a hard block, it lasts longer and you use less of it. Since
these are solids, you can travel with them without spills. If you've got hard water,
we think you might like to try Lush Hard Water Solid Shampoo $8.95/3.05 oz which
balances out the effects of hard water on your hair, and . The soap bar we tested looked
and felt (in our hands) like a yummy piece of dried pink birthday cake, and smelled
slightly floral. There is also a Lush Tropical Fruit Jungle Detangler/Conditioner
$8.95/3.05 oz. (sold by weight). Buy a "slice" of this slightly
spicy-smelling (tropical fruit refers to good for your hair ingredients) green solid
conditioner, rub it over wet hair, massage and rinse, for use with all types of
hair. The invigorating, clean smell will appeal to men, too.
BeautiControl
Lip Appeal $18.00 is not a new product, but it's such a great one that
we can't sing it's praises enough. Inside a simple, plastic jar is a gentle lip exfoliator
that removes ugly, dry skin and without ripping your lips to shreds. If you use
long-lasting lip colors, you'll find that it easily removes staining residue, too In the
top of the jar is a clever compartment filled with soothing lip balm that moisturizes, and
makes your lips feel loveable, again. We also liked the battery-operated BeautiControl
Microderm Abrasion System Buffer $60.00 which comes with a 2 oz. jar of Facial
Buffing Creme and three replaceable brushes. You can also buy a Body
Buffing Creme $50.00 for all-over treatment. Home microdermabrasion treatments
are not as deep as those done in doctor's offices or spas, but they DO provide your skin
with a noticeable glow (without damaging it). The buffer with rotating brush dispenses the
laser-cut aluminum oxide crystals that help uncover cleaner, brighter skin.If you've
always wanted to try it, now's the time.
Would you pay a dollar
a day for smoother, fuller, sexy, lucious lips in just 20 days? You bet we would!
While we didn't get the chance to test the new, Face Stockholm Lip Enhancer
$20.00, for the full 20 days, we DID notice how smooth and sexy our lips looked,
even after just ONE application (so imagine how great they'd be if used as
directed)! If you want sexy, "kiss me" lips, give it a try! Tuck one
into a Face Stockholm silk brocade makeup bag $22.00 from their extensive
new makeup bag collection, and make it a great gift for a bride to be or a new mom, or
anyone who wants to be kissed...a lot!
Fall for Men: Increasingly, men are taking notice of beauty products (especially here on
this column). We've collected some fragrance and skin care items we think work well
for men, for Fall. Stetson Untamed
1.0 fl oz cologne, .75 fl oz cologne spray, and 1.5 fl oz after shave $13.50) each
is a new fragrance from Coty which launches this Fall. It's all man - musky,
sexy, evocative of suede, cedar, oak moss and bergamot. Men liked it's modern, clear
glass bottle with textured gun-metal cap. Inside is a scent that is NOT for your
Dad. Inexpensive and sexy, it will appeal to younger, single men who want to attract
women. Our female reviewers agree - it definitely made our heads,
turn!
QUODOS FOR "WHAT
WORKS" "This site looks really cool. I like the fact that
they don't limit their reviews (OR their accolades) to expensive prestige, designer, or
boutique brands, unlike many other cosmetic review sites. It looks like they sample a
little bit of everything and offer information for a wide variety of price ranges. I also
like the fact that they price everything right there next to the product name. That's so
much more convenient than having to look up each individual price of all the items you're
interested in. " Add your comments to our next column: advicesisters@advicesisters.net
|
"WHAT WORKS" "Focus on
Fall"2003 BEAUTY REVIEW
BUYING
GUIDE: Here's where to get "The Goods"
