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HAIR HELPERS:  If your precious tresses are stressed from too much sun exposure, over-processing or environmental saboteurs, you'll want to check out some of the products we are suggesting below. They are specifically designed to suit every budget and provide solutions to your specific hair situations.  Make every day a good hair day with hair accessories that delight the eye and enhance your style.

Hair accessories are the easiest way to add instant "ooph" to your look, and designer Renee Rivera knows just how to turn an ordinary clip into a work of art. Her stunning, hand-crafted originals compliment you like nothing else.  A witty and luxe touch for daytime is the Black Mink Pouf on Tortoise Shell Clamp $38.00 hand crafted by Renee Rivera. If your hair is long, this generous puff of fur it will give an instant touch of class to a ponytail--or use it as a whimsical accent on shorter hair. TIP: For special occasions or a date, clip this one behind your ear or tucked into a bun or updo as a sexy substitute for a flower!  Raise your ponytail to star status by wrapping it with a Semi-Precious Stone Ponytail Holder $50.00.  This stunning piece features a gracefully curved, lemon yellow rectangle of silk festooned with three bands of genuine, semi-precious, peridot and citrine stones. We reviewed a similar type of ponytail holder, with turquoises, in our Spring column.  The green and yellow colors will compliment earth tones and even the deeper wines and berries you'll be wearing, now. Come Spring, this combo will look fresh with Easter-egg brights.

Nearly ten years after its launch, Charles Worthington London, new to our review this column, has reinvented it's designer haircare line. The new Charles Worthington Results Collection Shampoo $5.99 each 10.9 fl. oz offers cutting-edge products at budget cost. The first thing you notice is are the attractive flat, Easter-Egg colored plastic bottles color coded to the specific care function: Orange (moisture seal), Yellow (shine on)m Blue (stay smooth), Pink (balancing) and Green (curl perfection.). We liked the super-light scents which don't linger, We tried several different types. All performed admirably and are a good choice for a complete hair care "wardrobe." If your hair is super-dry from too much sun exposure, the Moisture Seal (orange bottle) is recommended. The shampoo lathers well, rinses easily, and left our hair clean, soft and shiny.

Bumble & Bumble is quickly becoming one of our favorite hair care lines and we simply adore the new Creme de Coco Shampoo $7.00 2 oz./$19.00 & 8 oz. and Conditioner $8.00 2 oz. & 20.00 8 oz. Take a quick trip to the tropics and remind yourself to sunny beach days with the luscious scent of coconut. Before styling and blow-drying, work a small amount of Styling Balm into your damp hair for more moisture and (if you wish) a tiny bit of  Finishing Balm $35.00 1.7 fl. oz. with state-of-the-art silicones to give your hair a lightweight treatment with movement, shine and smoothness. These two steps will give your hair back it's smooth, shiny, healthy glow.

Curls are in again, and Garnier's Fructis has two products to enhance them. Fructis Hard Curl Gel $2.99 6.8 oz. is a non-drying and nourishing tube of gel that lets you control curls without minus frizz or flaky residue. Fruit waxes made from mango kernels and apricot seeds work with curl binding fibers to re-work your wild child curl into a beautiful, manageable style, without costing a fortune. The extra strong hold lets you re-shape curls into soft, shapely, waves. For curls that are softer and less "crunchy," work a bit of Garnier Fructis Soft Curl Cream $2.99 5 oz. into your slightly damp or dry hair. Air dry or style for soft manageable curls that last. if you don't have super-curly hair but want a manageably-messy high shine, day-at-the-beach style, a spritz of Surf Hair Texturing Spray $2.99 5.1 fl. oz. is all you need.  Scrunch, air dry, and go!

There's something so alluring about a bit of sparkle, peeking from the top of a ponytail, the corner of an updo, or out from behind your ear. Do it affordably with Conair Hair Accents. A sophisticated way to keep your hair secure in an updo, for example, is a feminine, openwork, antique silver clamp "58206" with faux marcasite and onyx chips $6.99 and nice way to secure an updo or wayward bangs that are still growing in. For a ponytail or half up/half down style, we like a mid-sized barrette "#58227/ #57217" $6.99 covered with Victorian-inspired pink or amber aurora borealis flowers. If you like elastics try a romantic, pony elastic "#58206" $6.99/$7.99  festooned with a grey cameo with amethyst and pink rhinestones, set in a lacy silvery base. For short or thin hair, a set of four, small, bendable clips  "#5902" $1.84 (*at Walmart) with faceted blue, amber, clear and amethyst beads add a touch of glamour, and also hold back growing-in bangs!

My highlighted hair seemed suddenly dull and dry. I hoped for a miracle to revive it--and I got one!  New Color Extend Highlight Fuel  $15.95/5 tubes by Redken is a deep hair treatment that revives the color, health, and shine of colored highlights and low lights in just 5-15 minutes. I only had five minutes to apply and wait, but the results were amazing. When my hair was dry it was shiny, soft, and somehow, had a "glow" that I thought was gone. I was joyous--even more so when I read that these treatments contain (among other things) UV filters and strengthening ceramide to help keep my hair in better shape and protect the color. Next time I'll leave it on even longer for deeper conditioning. It's more than worth the small investment of time and money. My color looks new again and my hair, like it should. 

Are you always traveling or do you know someone who is? The new, Travel Kit $17.99 by Umberto Beverly Hills pairs four hair care essentials in a compact, red plastic travel case from this hair care line:   4-oz bottles of Shampoo, Conditioner, Conditioning Spray Leave-in Conditioner, and a 2-oz aerosol hairspray completes either a Moisturizing set, or a Volumizing set. Many of the styling products feature a special complex of sunflower seed extract, Vitamin E, jojoba and a UV filter for color protection. Developed by Beverly Hills salon owner Umberto Savone, these nicely packaged sets  sold exclusively at Target, deliver impressive value and good quality products that you'll want to try or give as a thoughtful gift Tip: No need to fight crowds at the stores, come Holiday time-- buy several of these kits now and save them for gift-giving, later on.

We first reviewed Alterna in our Summer 2004 What Works Column and were impressed with these luxe products. The Caviar With Age-Control Complex™is a line of 11 products with "age control complex" a mix of nutrient-activating enzymes and the effective, luxurious ingredient, Caviar (a source of Omega-3 fatty acids to keep hair youthful and protected from the elements). We are happy to report that the Caviar Moisturizing Anti-Aging Shampoo $25.00 12 oz and Caviar Moisturizing Anti-Aging Conditioner $28.00 12 oz. have recently been revamped and they're great. I particularly liked the easy pump tops, but what about what is inside. Are these products really worth it?  "Absolutely!"  There is a lot of chemistry involved, but the bottom line is that apres shampoo & conditioner, I saw an immediate, significant difference. My hair was super-soft, manageable, with a youthful sheen that used to be the signature of youth. A little goes a long way and you may find you need fewer salon treatments, too. They're safe for all hair types.  Alterna Caviar is definitely the fountain of youth (for hair)! 

A recent study has found that people wearing the aroma of citrus, and most notably, grapefruit, were perceived as up to six years younger than they really were. If you want to test this theory and have shiny, easy-to-style hair in the process, try a citrus-scented hair enhancer such as the Citrus Lift shampoos, conditioners and styling products by Herbal Essences ($2.99 each). These products feature citrus extracts and Vitamin E. Citrus Lift Bodifying Shampoo and Conditioner for Normal/Dry Hair blends tangerine, lemongrass and aloe, while the Citrus Lift Uplifting Shampoo and Conditioner for Fine Hair features pink grapefruit, verbena and bergamot.. A rinse-out tip conditioner and a number of  styling products good for all hair types include a volumizing, foaming gel. a whipped mousse, a finishing mist, and  a detangling spray.

Pantene Pro-V is one of the most popular of the popularly-priced brands on the market. Since curls are making a strong come-back, Pantene's new products are designed to keep curls healthy, soft, manageable and shiny.  Pantene Pro-V Curls Definishing Comb-in Treatment $3.99 10.2 oz   is a lightweight product that hydrates curls without weighing them down and helps make styling, easier, especially since curly hair tends to be more porous and dry. For additional shine and manageability, there is also a new Styling Serum $5.99 1.7 oz. Pump just a tiny bit of this clear liquid in your hand and work through your hair. It will instantly smooth the texture and add shine to dry,  flyaway curls and protect your hair from everyday styling damage. Whether you're born with curls or have a perm, these are two products will put the spring in your curl, the shine in your tresses, and keep frizz, at bay!

If you’ve ever packed your favorite shampoo, only to find it has soaked through everything in your travel case, you will thank your lucky stars for the Godiva Shampoo and Conditioning Bar by LUSH $7.95. This round, bar-shaped shampoo is a solid shampoo, cleverly packaged in a silvery tin– total portability sans spills. The shampoo lathers well, rinses clean and is exotically scented with jasmine, ylang ylang, cypress, and palmarosa oil. It’s also enriched with shea butter, macadamia nut oil, and coconut oil, to leave your hair soft and shiny-smooth. Whether you are camping, taking a world tour, or just staying home, we think you will agree that the entire family will rate this one a "perfect tin" (pun intended).

FOUNDATION & BLUSH: fading tans and over-stressed skin can cause blotchiness. A good foundation and blush is your best friend to cover flaws for a smooth, vibrant complexion.  New formulas with light reflecting pigments, moisturizers, anti-aging ingredients, and even SPF make wearing makeup "better-than-bare," so keep several types and colors on hand to suit whatever condition your skin is in (it isn't the same every day).  These products do more than just make you look good --they're multi-tasking beauty treatments!

The deepest plums, purples, and chocolates may be challenging for some complexions to carry off, but the All Over Color $18.00 by Jouer is so blendable and sheer that virtually anyone can wear any color. Update your wardrobe for Fall with "Amaryllis" is our choice--it's a clear, natural red that perks up a sallow complexion and gives new life to a fading tan, while tinting your lips and cheeks with a sheer glow to a deep rose tint, depending upon how many layers you add.

After numerous requests from Advice Sisters readers begging us to review La Prairie products, I was finally able to track down a contact and get a small sample of their new, Cellular Radiance Lifting Foundation $225.00 1.33 oz/40ml for our first review of La Prairie. This foundation is exceptional. It comes in 8 colors ( I tried "Natural Glow," a neutral beige which will suit many light/medium tones) and it is especially good for dry, mature or aging skin. What it does (and why you need it despite the price) is skip over fine lines and make your tired skin look fresh, glowing, youthful and nearly flawless. It has all sorts of ingredients that actually work to protect against premature aging effects, boot moisture, and make your face look "lit" from within. We like the soft,light, natural feel. In fact, the more you blend it, the better it gets!  For convenience, your full-sized foundation will come with a golden spatula, an application sponge, and miniature travel jar to hold a weekends' worth of foundation (how thoughtful!). The luxe nature of this foundation is immediately noticeable --one that smoothes on so silky, light, creamy and dewy that is feels more like a sumptuous creme fraiche, than foundation. La Prairie isn't within everyone's budget, but it's worth the investment in months worth of beautiful appearances, if you can get your hands on it.  Highly recommended (and we hope we can get more products from La Prairie to review for you in future columns).

If you love pressed powder but just want enough coverage to even out complexion "dings," you’ll appreciate the new, Complexion Perfection $15.00 by Hard Candy. These silky, jet-milled, ultra-fine, matte, pressed powder compacts come with a cute, heart-shaped sponge. Swipe it over one  four light, medium or dark colors with names based on yummy cookie favorites, and cover flaws and even skin tone , while still getting the sheer coverage you covet! Even better, each of the four colors will work on a variety of skin tones so you don’t have to switch compacts if your skin tone changes, slightly. "Sugar Cookie" is the lightest, a soft, silky, matte creamy pale beige followed by "Oatmeal Cookie." Medium to deeper complexions will fix flaws with "Peanut Butter Cookie" or "Gingerbread Cookie." TIP:   Powders on dry or mature skin tends to settle into wrinkles and highlight dry skin flakes.  It's best to apply moisturizer and let it sink in before applying a powder foundation. Regular exfoliation helps, too.

Now that Summer is nearly over, many of us have a souvenir we'd rather not have:  dry and less-than-perfect skin. Fix it quickly, with a foundation/moisturizer that slides over imperfections, leaving a light, rose scent and a long lasting, natural, finish. Fleur de Teint $45.00 by Guerlain is a soft, light, hydrating foundation with active rose extract.  It contains a combo of four pearlizers (derived from the four primary colors), to give your face a luminous, radiant glow. Pump a bit from the gold-topped bottle, and it immediately smoothes over dings, flakes, and wrinkles. Six shades ensure that at least one will be right for you.  I tried  "510 Beige Clair," a light beige that is flexible enough to suit light/medium complexions. The results were truly amazing--soft skin that looked so great I forgot it was just an illusion.  I came back to reality when I washed off the amazing Fleur de Teint--but there is always another day to re-apply it, and look fabulous again.

Another foundation that's kind to skin is True Comfort Light Reflecting Foundation with SPF 15 $36.00 by Clarins. This light, natural but complete coverage  foundation is silky, moisturizing, and "radiance boosting,"  but the non-greasy, nourishing formula also manages to deliver long-lasting, light-reflecting coverage and protection from the sun's damaging rays without feeling intrusive. We tried "07," a light ivory, but there is bound to be a shade to suit everyone. We really liked the way this foundation felt on our skin.  Worthy of note is this foundation's unusual ingredient: two extracts from the Moringa seed that help maintain the skin's balance. The press materials say that Moringa has special detoxifying peptides used in nature to purify rivers. They reason that if this tree can purify a river, imagine what kind of protection it can provide for the skin! All we can say is that we really like it and especially recommend it for mature, dry or damaged skin. The Instant Light Perfecting Touch $26.00 is a click-it pen full of brush-on concealer in several shades from light to dark,   that quickly covers dark circles, imperfections,  fine lines and wrinkles and signs of fatigue with long lasting, natural, creamy color.  We love the cheerful, metallic red pen that makes touch-ups easy, anywhere.

We have always raved about Armani makeup, and especially the sexy, skin-illuminating Fluid Sheer $48.00.  Fluid Sheer # 13 is perfect for a fading tan--it's a limited edition color--a rosy brown that helps revive your tan, warm up sallow skin, or lightly sculpt your face without being too obvious. There are a number of colors that will give your face a lovely "glow" all year round, but this one won't be around forever, so get it now!

Shu Uemura Glow On $21.00 comes in dozens of colors to suit any skin tone and mood.  For Fall, try one of the limited edition Masquerade Collection compacts decorated with a peacock feather on the clear case. We love the layerable, believable, long-lasting color and the dozens of colors to enhance any skin tone.  "Peach" is a medium, warm peach with a tiny hint of gold shimmer to enhance the last vestiges of your tan.  "Amber" is a deep, warm, copper with a hint of gold shimmer for deeper complexions, and to coordinate with deeper complexions (or with faux bronzers), all year.

If you've shopped at QVC lately, you may already know the Laura Geller Dual Ended Color Crayon with Sharpener $32.00. a jumbo, dual-ended pencil with a huge, cheerfully-red sharpener that you can use on lips and cheeks to streamline your makeup routine. One side features a sheer gel formula in Blushing, a Fuschia flush,  while the opposite side is a cream color called Bare that adds a pearly rose sheen to your cheeks. Both colors flatter most skintone. This is a great product to pack in your makeup bag or travel kit! Traditionalists might prefer the Laura Geller Blush Duo $21.00 in "Marigold," a generously sized compact of powder blush/highlighter featuring a medium rose blush, coupled with a deep, browned mauve (for counter or drama).

Some women prefer the "I'm not wearing anything but the flush of love" type of blush, and others like  high drama of contour and color. Bobbi Brown’s Limited Edition "Clay Collection" features a new type of  Blush $20.00 that "tints" your face with soft, matte color for a natural glow, but you can continue to layer more for more contour and color. You can also mix several colors together (they have the same, brown base). It's just like getting a wardrobe of blushes with only a  few products! Bobbi Brown offers us new, soft, matte, browned colors that compliment all skin tones. We particularly liked "Clay," a browned rose to flatter light, medium or dark complexions. To perk up a fading tan and to compliment browns, berries, and plums, try "Rose Clay," a brown with a touch of berry for a blush that is modern, but not too much.

Cream blush is a such a versatile product. It smoothes on over bumps and flaws, and can be used in a pinch on lips and sometimes, even on eyes.  For Fall, Face Stockholm is expanding it's existing Crème Blush $16.00 collection with three new colors that will perk up a fading tan or add warmth to palefaces.  "Hudson" is a soft peachy beige just perfect for evening out a light but blotchy tan.   "London," a hot pink and "New York," a deep raspberry look very intense in their chic, clear plastic compacts, but go on sheer and layerable to flatter nearly every complexion. These crème blushes blend easily and quickly and a little goes a long way. Easy to tote in purse or pocket, they're a great investment to update up your Fall look.

Color Swirl Blush $32.50 by La Sienne comes in an elegant, rounded-square, eye-catching, mirrored, gold compact, but it's what's inside that really counts. A generous round pan of swirled blush colors create a natural glow. We tried "Sun Storm," a warm palette of bronze, beige, tan and gold that perks up a fading tan and adds just a hint of shimmery gold to your skin.  There's also a pink version called "Bikini Beach."  These are two to use year-round --especially if your complexion needs a pick-me-up!

Trish McEvoy comes to the rescue of those who really can't wear deep plum, wine or berry blush without looking like a 70's disco queen. Her subtle, feminine Blush $19.00 fits nicely into a Trish McEvoy Charger Compact (medium $10.20, deluxe $20.00). Change the pans in the charger whenever you feel like it!  Appreciated too, is the  super-shimmery, long-lasting, natural finish on these blushes. They perk up a fading summer complexion and put the pink (literally) back into your cheeks. "Pink Shell," for example, is a super light, baby pink that gives just the slightest hint of color to paler complexions. "Glowing" is a slightly deeper version with a touch of rose. Deeper still, but still light enough for palefaces/medium complexions is "Vibrance," a bright clear, true pink that will add much-needed color this Winter, too.

It wouldn't be a chic season without new colors from Clinique. For Fall, 2005, Clinque unveils a color collection that is sophisticated yet user-friendly. The Blushing Blush $18.50 is a perfect example. This is a silky, lightweight, oil-free, powder blush in a clear plastic compact with a chic, silver top. Inside is a mirror and a unique, angled blush brush that help even neophytes to easily accent their cheekbones.  There are nine new shades in nudes, tawnies, pinks and violets.  Our faves are "Iced Lotus," a light pink with a hint of plum that looks fresh (not '70's disco), "Precious Posy," a medium rose, and "cupid," a light, warm pink. To prolong a fading tan or for more drama, try "Sunset Glow," a deep, tawny rose. The color goes on smoothly, is long lasting, and looks natural..everything we want in a blush and nothing we don't!

Your gold-tinted bronzers may be at the back of your makeup bag, for now, but glowing skin is still the order of the day for fashionable women. M.A.C. Cosmetics offers a fresh take on bronze. The look is effortless and natural, even if the application requires a bit more activity!  For example, swipe a bit of Mineralize Skin Finish $22.00, a soft, luxe  powder with high-frost metallic finish, on cheekbones rather than on the apples of your cheeks and add shimmery highlights to cheeks, brows--anywhere on your body!  "Metal Rock," is a  sheer, shimmery, berry with a touch of copper that looks so beautiful in the compact you can easily imagine what great things it will do for your skin! Less deep but definitely dramatic is "New Vegas," a warm vanilla gold infused with bronze pearl--just gorgeous on light to medium complexions!  Want a sheer, bright flush so new this Fall? Get a Sheertone Shimmer Blush $20.00 in a bright pink from the "Rebelrock" collection. Cool based skins and fading tans will "pop" with"dollymix," a bright dandy pink with medium shimmer power.   For a bit more iridescence, dust on Iridescent Pressed Powder $19.50 in a shade such as "Coupe D’Chic," a stunning, sheer, slightly shimmery pink applied high on your cheekbones. You can wear this silky, luminous  face powder alone or with foundation, or mixed into other products (eg. moisturizers). Note the fun,  eye-catching, black and white design on the shiny black M.A.C mirrored compact, too!

Is your face a casualty of too much sun?  Is your complexion "in-between" it's normal, seasonal tone due to a fading tan?  TruBlend Powder Foundation $9.00 by Cover Girl will at the rescue!  15 light, medium and dark shades of silky, matte, powder foundation matches the undertone of your skin. The foundation blends in effortlessly while gliding over imperfections, evening out your complexion, and staying true to color. The look is light and natural, not mask-like." The foundation is oil-free and hypoallergenic so it won't clog your pores and it feels like you're wearing nothing at all!  We all also liked the chic, matte, silver compact with mirror and sponge applicator.

"Caulk" sounds like something you'd put in a window to seal it, but Laura Geller's Caulk $25.00 has a much more beautiful purpose - a chubby pencil with concealer on one end, and a wide, sponge tip on the other, lets you blend the concealer perfectly into your skin. Silicone in the concealer makes it slide on like velvet. Even better, we love the pencil format that eliminates dipping our fingertips into a messy pot or jar. This is clever, clean, easy to apply, and totally tote-able! 

Brand new this season is Infallible (Never Fail) Makeup $13.95 by L'Oreal. We didn't test this foundation for the 16+ hours L'Oreal claims it will last, but we can report that this is long-wearing foundation that does quite a bit , or just a little cash. It provides full coverage that covered completely but wasn't overly heavy. It hides blemishes and dark circles, it has oil-absorbing mattifiers to stop shine,  it stays fresh (for hours and hours) and won't rub off, and finally, it has SPF 18 to protect against the elements. It comes in 14 stay-true colors, distributed with a handy pump bottle that keeps fingers clean, too. This is pretty amazing--and the price is definitely right.

E.I. Solutions Tinted Primer $39.00 keep other foundations looking true-to-color, all day, but it has added benefits. For example,  it provides a wash of very sheer, slightly dewy, color (light.medium or dark) that looks better than bare on it's own. It is  ideal for women who don't wearing like foundation, but would rather conceal fine lines and flaws from the rest of the world. This product is good for all skin types and is also a mattifier that controls oil on your face (up to 12 hours). There is also a non-tinted Perfect Primer $39.00 with Vitamins A, C & E. We also like the pump bottle that keeps hands so much cleaner. If you want a great multi-tasker for your face, this is it!

Sneak Peek! Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could have a flawless and younger-looking complexion with the press of a pump bottle. Well, stop dreaming -- you can!  Repulpant Foundation $23.00 30 ml by Bourjois blends quickly and easily and dries to a flawless, semi-opaque finish. But that's not all:   face firming collagen micro-spheres constantly release moisture into your skin to soothe and nourish and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. We like the pump bottles that measures just the right amount for one application and give shades from light beige to a medium/dark tan. We also liked the subtle rose scent and the way the foundation stays true to color without feeling too dry or too greasy. If your skin is less than perfect, this new foundation (available in September at Sephora and select Ulta) could be your new, best friend!

Lancôme is beloved for it's cosmetics, but it has also been a house of perfume for over 70 years!  launching this Fall are small, limited edition re-issues of four of Lancôme's historic scents. You can purchase all four fragrances in a luxe, Lancôme Mini  Fragrance Set $175.00 4/5 fl. oz glass flacons or individually in 1.5 fl. oz Eau de Parfum $100.00. The chic, slightly tapered, clear glass flacons were designed in 1960 by Georges Delhomme, who also designed the Lancôme rose emblem still used today. They highlight the delicate tints of the various fragrances, inside. The label features the gracefully curved gate of the Lancôme boutique in Paris. Each fragrance is a tribute to the perfumer's art in the decade in which it was created. Magie is an Amber Floral from 1950. The yellow-tinted scent is a rich, warm, sensual amber musk/floral warmed with the sweetness of flowers such as jasmine and violets and perfect for a special occasion. Climat is a light, olive-green tinted green floral, created in 1967. It starts bright, with floral notes of Lilly of the valley and narcissus, but it is given pinch with middle notes of heliotrope and vetiver and bottom notes of tuberose. This is a perfect day-to-evening scent.  In 1971, Lancôme launched Sikkim a rose-colored "floriental" that starts off spicy-sweet with notes of jasmine and ylang, ylang, followed by sweet oak moss and glabanumm with an almost tea-like finish. This beautiful, complex scent is my personal favorite!  Sagamore is a masculine but quite easily, unisex, scent created in 1985. It commands attention with notes of sandalwood, vetiver roots and patchouli, mixed with tangy lemon and bergamot. This very pleasing, fresh scent that is as great now as "back then."

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Looking for a new fragrance that won't break your piggy bank? Angelscent $10.00 1 oz is made in Colorado of 50% organic jojoba oil and 50% pure fragrance oil that moisturizes your skin but won't clog your pres. It comes in a dozen scents from coconut to sandalwood. We tried "Amber," a soft, musky oil with a hint of vanilla that would work perfectly with the heavier, Fall fabrics and cooler temperatures. The oils are fragranced enough to last you for hours. Another plus--the cobalt blue spray bottles!

In our Holiday 2004 column, reviewers enthused about Antonio Banderas Spirit 1.07 fl. oz Eau de Toilette Spray $30.00 -- a seductive, spicy scent with  top notes of citrus leaves, neroli, and natural bergamot, blended with spicy and floral mid-notes of orange tree leaves and cinnamon bark, and bottom notes of sandalwood, amber, and vanilla. SNEAK PEEK: The sexy superstar has put his name onto a women's scent that will launch in October, 2005!  Antonio Banderas Spirit for Women $30.00 1.7 fl. oz spray is a pretty-in-pink fragrance in a lovely, teardrop-shaped clear bottle with silver cap. The fragrance, like the men's scent, is a modern oriental, but this one is all woman. The scent starts bright and fruity via citrus freshness, plum, red fruits, and orange blossom flower. Middle notes of white flowers, freesia, peony, and white iris quickly add sweetness to the mix. Bottom notes of woody oriental, sandalwood, and incense soften the sweetness and make it modern and sexy. Both these scents will work well for all ages and types, but we think they will especially appeal to young, hip men and women who want style at a modest price.

KITS TO COVET!  If you want value, fun and convenience, kits are the best way to go!  The designers do the work for you, putting together their best products and colors to create a totally coordinated look--and often at lower cost than if you purchased them individually. Kits are usually portable face-in-a-case containers and they are a great gift for busy women, and those who don't want to make color choices. Grab a few kits and you'll be all set, for Fall!

Benefit Roadside Attractions $20.00 come Fall-ready in eye-catching trios of creams in four color combos. There are two for eyes, two for lips. The magnetic-closure, cardboard compacts are cute, clever, and car-themed, featuring unique graphics of women in sexy, 60's automobiles. Inside each compact, there is even a "rear-view" mirror! "Nice Ride" pairs a shimmering deep berry gloss with a medium rose and a peachy neutral. "Ex's Make Great Speed Bumps" is a trio of glossy lip creams in light, medium and slightly deeper shades of shimmery pecan to flatter virtually everyone The shadow trios feature silky, slightly shimmery, long-lasting shadows. Try  "My Meter's Running," light, medium and dark shades of trendy Cappuccino. All of the sets are fantastic, but my personal favorite is: "Is This Going  To Take Long," featuring three pretty shades of subtle, shimmery sandy taupes. These are not only trendy and perfect for Fall, but they're fun to look at and fun to use.  Take one of these compacts for a spin (pun intended) on a date or to a party. They'll be a definite conversation starter.

One thing we know for sure, Stila makes the greatest kits! For Fall, Stila has developed four fabulous mini-kits called Clutch and Go $30.00 in shades of gold, plum, peach and sage green. Adorable, slim, tweed covered tri-fold "envelopes" open to reveal a silvery interior, mirror plus a powder blush and three perfectly coordinated shades of eye shadow.  A nice touch is a protective internal overlay of clear plastic with inspirational quote from famous women (eg. "Courage is the price that life extracts for granting peace" - Amelia Earhart). Our special choice for Light to medium warm-complexions is the "Perfectly Gold" collection (photo) a medium peachy blush is paired with Fall-ready, warn shades of soft rosed-brown, goldenrod and eggshell eye shadows that perfectly compliment the earthtones of Fall. Ditto the sage green collection with peach blush and great but soft greyed-greens. Cool complexions will enjoy the plum  set with brown, white and plum  and a berried peach blush. We didn't test the Peach set, but we will bet it's a winner, too!

Lancôme's Paris-chic palette for Eyes and cheeks called Le Carnet De Velours (the Velvet Notebook) is already one of the most coveted beauty kits for Fall! A slim, black sueded velvet passport-sized foldover compact is secured by two leather "strings" tipped with metal squares bearing the celebrated Lancôme rose emblem. Inside is a mirror, a mini shadow brush, and, of course four very chic shadows which are primarily for the  eyes, but can also be used on cheeks.  two colors for the two facets of love: "Vanité/ Vanity" is a study of chic contrasts:  shimmery peach, shimmery and slightly iridescent light olive green, and a show-stopping sparkling black and glittering silver for liner or special event or smoky eye. plus a creamy rusted berry to wear on cheeks and lips as well as for drama on eyes. There is also a compact called "Secret," a light peach, iridescent green, medium brown, and dark brown. Like some of the Dior limited editions, we suggest you get yours now, or you may find the collectors and fashionistas have taken them all!

If you are looking for an adorable, impressive, but inexpensive gift for a special friend, or just a little splurge for yourself, look no further than the Feisty Kitten Lip Palette and Credit Card Carrier $10.00 by Urban Decay. It's a  purr-fect choice (pun intended). A credit-card sized, slim, lip palette holds six, very sexy shades of lip glosses ranging from shimmery champagne/nude, pink and copper, to clear, shiny, bright pink and red/wine. There’s even a mini lip brush nestled in the middle of this compact kit. The twist on this one is that you can make your own credit card/ID the cover! Slide out the Urban Decay cover and slide in your own card.  This is a fun, fantasy lip kit --a great conversation starter, too.

Another cute and very affordable lip kit that is sure to please women from teens to adult is the Caboodles Pout Palette $5.99. This clear square holds four pots of color with a twist--they spell out "P.O.U.T." in 4 shades of pink, both warm and cool, clear and shimmery.  The colors are very sheer and light, just enough for a better than bare look, and flattering to all. There's even a little lip brush to make application easy.

The exciting, Petal Essence Triple Accent $18.00 by Aveda is truly a  traditional "kit," but since these totally terrific, totally tote-able, multi-tasking pencils work for eyes, cheeks and lips, we think the term "kit," applies.  These triple-duty pencils feature soft, light, metallic hues for eyes on one side, bold brights for cheeks, and lips on the other. We loved the way the creams apply smoothly, and the long-wearing lip/cheek colors resist fading, feathering, and running, while still managing to nourish skin with sunflower and organic jojoba oils. On the eye side of the pencil, you'll get metallic or pearled shadow with candelila wax and organic jasmine, organic geranium and orchid oils creating a treat for your eyes. We tried "Gold Leaf/Geranium" (photo) which pairs a semi-shiny metallic gold cream for eyes, with a poppy-bright red. The tip of the pencil makes it easy to apply even a bright lip color like this one, flawlessly!  For a similar, but softened less bright but similar combo, try "Almondine/Sassafras, a deep, soft rose lip color paired with a soft ivory eye cream. Berry lovers will like "Taupe/Heather" paring a stunning, metallic taupe eye shadow with a deep, metallic berry.

The Punk and Princess Palettes $25.00 each from Hard Candy run over our quota for what is fashionable and cute!  The packaging is a re-usable, glossy cardboard case with magnetic closure. Inside, a diagram inside guides you in applying the products for day and evening looks. The makeup itself is Hard Candy perfection. The Princess Palette (photo) is festooned with photos of a star-studded stiletto, glittery tiara, chandelier earrings, pearls and a silvery , evening bag on a background of pink, lime green, blue and (one) lavender hearts in circles (the "Punk Palette" case features the similar items, but with a rock-star sensibility such as a  skull and crossbones bracelet and black feather and silver earrings) The "Princess Palette" offers a sheer, deep rose blush onto which you can dusty a pretty, slightly pearly, pink shimmer for a super-feminine, glow. There is also an eye shadow in shimmery champagne along with rich chocolate and a dusty mauve shadows that are less shimmery. The final, fairy princess touch are two little pots of lip gloss in a clear watermelon pink, and a sheer berry to give those pouty-princess lips high shine and a touch of color. The "Punk Palette" has edgy colors that are pretty, not harsh. You get a semi-sheer, coral blush and a white, iridescent, shimmer powder. Three eye shadows in deep sparkling eggplant, golden khaki, and a pale, glittering green make your eyes pop! For lips, enjoy gorgeous pots of shimmery beige and a sexy, black-plum gloss.

BATH & BODY:  Every season a new "star" is born. This season fruits and nuts are the hot thing, from coconut to almond, to honey, to grapefruit. Body products don't just smell good and make you feel good, they also moisturize, protect and soothe...so indulge!

de-luxe claims it's mission is to create authentic, spa-quality personal care products at mass market prices without sacrificing quality. We think they've actually succeeded!  The packaging is no-nonsense, but the products can hold their own with pricier brands. An example is the SaVon de-Luxe Pure Vegetable & Shea Butter Triple Milled Soap 8.8 oz European Rectangle Bar $3.00. These hefty, richly-scented bars have a 100% pure vegetable base of palm, coconut, glycerin, and shea butter which makes skin feel pampered and soft, but not greasy. One reviewer reported it was mild and moist even for her to shave her legs with it! The soaps produce good lather and rinse clean. For those who like a bit of mild exfoliation while they cleanse, there is also a 2-bar oval set $3.00 8.8 oz that includes mild (not super-scrubby) botanicals to coax away dry, dead surface skin without ripping it to shreds. All  four scents:  invigorating Rosemary Mint, sassy Lemon Verbena, luxe lavender, and calming vanilla citrus were fantastic...and you can't beat the price, either.

We like the new, double-duty Hand & Nail Cream Reve de Miel $19.00 2.6 oz, by Nuxe.  Acacia honey "miel" means "honey" in French), Chilean rose, avocado, and sweet almond oil, Vitamin E, honey, and other botanicals and oils work together to nourish, repair, protect, and deeply moisturize work-weary hands down to the cuticles. It even helps to strengthen your nails!   Now that's what we call a multi-tasking hand cream!  The formula is non greasy and effective, even if your hands are irritated by detergents and outside elements such as cold and wind, this is a good product to use now, and throughout the Winter.

Dry Skin Therapy PLUS Intensive Repair Hand Creme $5.29, 2.5 oz. by Eucerin may be just what you've been waiting for if your hands are dry and not improving with your normal moisturizer. This very rich but non-sticky, super-fast absorbing, unscented cream has alpha hydroxy to gently exfoliate away dry, scaly skin you don't want, and moisturize your "claws" back into mild-mannered, "paws." It is even appropriate for people who suffer from hand eczema, so you know it's gentle!   If you have rough skin on your feet, you may already know that the skin there is much thicker than on the rest of your body. Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Foot Creme $5.29 3 oz is the exfoliating/moisturizing version for feet.  This one also has alpha hydroxy, along with a mix of other, intensive moisturizers to really get through and soften dry and cracked skin where you've gotta walk on it!. We like the clean, easy to apply, flip-top tubes on these products, too.

Lucky Chick's products come in the cutest packages, but the products are serious and effective. The Lucky Chick Mandarin White Orchid Sugar Body Scrub $22.00 13 oz for example, is a little bit girly, a little bit super-scrub! The paisley-style floral packaging mixes light blue, rose and pink with a retro, hippy vibe that looks feminine, and the vitamin E and honey and slightly fruity, clean and light mandarin white orchid scent are pleasing to women of all ages. However, the scrub is not all "girly-girl" -- a few vigorous rubs of the scrub inside will make easy work of any dry, scaly, dead surface skin that you may have, and leave your body, glowing! 

Super Aqua-Serum by Guerlain has been a favorite, deep moisturizer for 15 years. It has just been re-launched for Fall with six products: two days creams, a serum, a body lotion, and a hand lotion, reborn with active molecules ("inspired by the sap of Atlas blue cedar" the literature tells us), to deeply moisturize your skin and restore freshness and a youthful glow. Accordingly, the packaging for these exceptional products are in shades of blue.  The Body Serum $90.00 6.7 fl. oz for example, arrives in a curvaceous, aquamarine blue bottle with impressive, gold top. Although this is a serious moisturizer, it is fragranced as only the French can do, with a chic, complex, combo of floral water, geranium and musky freesia top notes followed by jasmine and Lilly of the valley, and bottom notes of musk, amber, sandalwood and cedar. We haven't tried the rest of the products in this re-vamped line, but we are sure they will be magnifique!

JK Soul Salts has wonderfully-scented aromatherapy products made with 100% natural ingredients, and we've been impressed with the quality and performance, too.  Perk up your spirits, or simply relax, with a beautifully-scented, moisturizing Bath Oil $18.00 4 fl. oz that blends jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, Vitamin E, and one of six essential oils (lavender, orange blossom, neroli, sweet grapefruit, rosemary or vanilla) to give your body a heavenly treat.These wonderful oils in amber bottles make a great gift, and by the way, they do double-duty as a massage oil, too!  Visit the JK Soul Salts web site to learn all about the aromatherapy benefits of the various scents!

New to our column is Plantogen, a plant-based line of facial, bath and body products sold in exclusive spas around the United States. Sole Scrub $30.40 5.1 fl. Oz is a refreshingly-scented scrub for feet combining peppermint, tea-tree oil, menthol and chamomile with apricot seed (really gets gritty to get those little pieces of skin that catch your socks and hose).  Follow your exfoliation by pampering Plantogen Sole Repair Cream $20.40 5.1 fl. oz . It smells beautifully of peppermint, and (more importantly) soothes feet, in a flash, with a blend of rich virgin olive oil, shea butter, avocado, and peppermint. Your feet never had it so good! These would appeal to men as well. TIP: Give your special someone a foot massage with Sole Repair Cream and get immediate sighs of gratitude. We hope to review more of Plantogen products in future columns.

We have a soft spot in our hearts for the venerable Crabtree & Evelyn. Their La Source line of spa treatments offers sea-inspired ingredients such as sea weed, sea salt, and sea algae and other, ultra-light, nutrient rich ingredients to help you relax and revitalize.That goes for feet, too! La Source Revitalizing Foot Smoother $18.00 5.3 oz is a seaweed green scrub   with a pepperminty scent, featuring pumice, (among other things) to help you get rid of rough spots on feet and elbows, making them smooth, again. This product was the winner of a 2004 Cosmo Beauty Award, so you know it truly is a blue-ribbon winner!   After you've exfoliated, add treat your feet to a powerhouse of pampering: Extreme Foot Therapy $22  3.4 fl. oz. Gently massage this non-greasy cream on your feet and especially around toes and callused areas. Your feet will be smooth and better yet, they'll soon be ready to go back into Manolos, or dancing, walking, hiking--whatever, once again.

We have always liked the superbly scented products created by Mixed Emotions that feature three base products in nine fantastic, yummy,  fragrances. New for Fall is "Bee Me," a honey-nut blend  that smells like sweet, ground almonds (photo) Mixed Emotions was developed specifically to interact with the female body chemistry to target and enhance particular emotions, but all the reviewers went nuts (pun intended) for this trio that was designed to build confidence. The Body Cream $22.00 8 oz, a rich but non-greasy treat for dry skin that is enriched with aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E. The fun-to-use Body Cleanser $20.00 12 oz also has these ingredients to pamper your skin (and the same, yummy scent). The Body Scrub $25.00 8 oz is a well balanced blend of scent and scrub. It quickly sloughs off dead, dry skin and leaves a glow, along with the nutty scent that you will soon discover you can’t get enough of!

Another notable, bee-centric line of bath & body products is Organics Wild Honey by The Healing Garden.   The Wild Honey Body Wash $7.95 8 fl. oz is a natural product with no artificial colors, and moisturizers to soothe and soften, along with essential oils that give the product a soft, sweet, honey/floral scent inspired by honey and nectar. The scent reminds us of Springtime, all year long! For traditionalists, there is honey-colored Bar Soap $5.95 2 bars). A rich Body Scrub $8.95 8 oz comes with it's own, adorable little wooden scoop. Suspended in a rich, honey-colored mix of organic sunflower oil and organic honey are gritty grains of rich, mineral salt that gently slough off rough, dry skin, without stripping moisture from your skin the the process! For more moisture, smooth on the Organics Wild Honey Body Lotion $7.95 8 oz apres shower or bath. The all-day moisturizing formula containing a certified blend of organic honey and other minerals to soothe and smooth your skin. Add another layer of "nectar" scent with a spritz of Organics Wild Honey Body mist $7.95 6 fl. oz.

Lalicious, new to our review this column, is the brainchild of Jessica Lindy, a former exec who followed her passion--and we are glad she did! Her unusual products have with natural ingredients such as coconut, almond and Vitamin E oils that celebs like Kate Hudson and Lindsay Lohan covet.  The Coconut Cream Body Butter $20.00 8 oz. for example, is a milky-white cream with a surprising, sensuous, whipped formula, (reminds us of thick whipped cream). It smoothes on easily and absorbs very quickly, leaving your body enriched with shea butter and aloe (among other good-for-your-skin ingredients), and smelling so intoxicatingly of coconut not one will be able to resist sniffing you!  Six scents are currently available that range in character from passion fruit to peppermint. We hope to review more of these products in future columns.

Sarah Michaels, new to our review this column, has created a new, unique bath & body line of products cleverly designed to compliment the cycles of a woman’s day. "Firstlight" is a refreshing, citrussy scent with a lemony base and hints of rose and ylang ylang, sugared maple, and vanilla beans. "Twilight" is a scent designed for evening– a mix of apple, roses, jasmine, orange blossoms, and also patchouli, musk and sweet vanilla. "Moodlight" has a base of lavender, to promote relaxation and sleep, mixed with bergamot and eucalyptus. All these scents are intriguing but not so strong that they would fight your favorite fragrance. We tried (and really liked) the Anti-Aging Body Lotion with SPF 15 $9.95 8 oz.This multi-tasking moisturizer/sun screen works quickly and effectively to soothe, moisturize and revitalize dry skin. It smoothed on nicely, leaving just a light scent behind. We also really liked the Exfoliating Sugar Scrub $7.95 10 oz. Of special note is the consistency–it’s a thick, semi-solid that allows you to scoop out just the amount you want and apply it where you want, minus a gooey mess.

There is nothing more fun than a luxurious soap with a delicious scent.  Indigo Wild has a goat's milk soap called Zum Bar $5.25 3 oz that comes in more than 28 unique and beautiful fragrances.  The soaps look special and one-of-a-kind -- ridged rectangles that fit in the palm of your hand.  These soaps are good for all skin types for face and body. They contain pure ingredients such as goats milk and glycerin (along with other olives and moisturizers) that effectively soothe and moisturize. Better yet, they are generously infused with essential oil,  to give you a spa-like feel, every time you cleanse.  We tried "Lemongrass," (good for oily skin) featuring a yellow base soap tinted with swirls of green, and a soft, slightly spicy scent touched with citrus. We also tried the Oatmeal-Lavender, lovingly infused with bits of genuine, ground oatmeal and a geranium-lavender scent that made us immediately forget the cares of the day while we very gently sloughed off a few, dry, skin flakes.

SKINCARE:  No matter what your age or overall skin type, your face needs TLC every day.  This is particularly true after the summer months, when you skin has been exposed to more outdoor elements than in any other season. Here are new and novel products we think you might like to try:

Benefit has the cutest products! Nifty Hi Neighbor $20.00 is a pink, liquid clay facial mask in a "Pepto"-type plastic bottle with a cap attached to a fluffy, round ball "dauber" (cleverly keeps hands clean). This beneficent blend of bentonite & kaolin clays, oat flour, and provitamin B cleans, clarifies, calms and rinses quickly, revealing a soft, glowing complexion. Be "neighborly and invite the girls over for facials. Shake it up, put it on, wash it off-you will all be "in the pink" and feeling quite pretty!

Caviar is one of the most luxurious items on the planet, and it's also full of  La Sienne Firming and Lifting Serum 95.00  1 oz is a high-quality, anti-aging serum with caviar extract.  Research has shown that caviar is loaded with protein, vitamins and minerals and has a cell format similar to human skin. It helps speed up the natural production of collagen and provides superb moisturizing and skin rejuvenating properties.This serum is one of the most popular of La Sienne's skincare products--and with good reason:  it is good for all skin types, offers a very effective firming and moisturizing effect, and it's ingredients have been bioengineered to penetrate skin and work quickly to rebuild skin structure. We didn't' test it long enough to see proper results, but, in time, regular use will give your skin a younger, firmer and more radiant appearance!

Supermodel Cindy Crawford has developed a new line of beauty products, in tandem with celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh called Meaningful Beauty.  The results of this anti-aging skincare system/set are --super! The products are   user-friendly with just five basics in a one-type-fits format: Cleanser; Daily Moisturizer with SPF 8; Night Moisture; Masque; and Eye Cream. There is also an optional Dècolleté and Neck Créme. The set is sold through Guthy-Renker, a major marketer of "seen on television" products. We like the simple packaging and the numbered system which is easy to understand and to use.  Our favorite product is the Cleanser, a creamy, non-foamy facial wash that whisked away oil and dirt without drying out your skin. This product alone is worth adding to your beauty routine.  TIP:   Freshen up without water. Just apply a small amount of the cleanser and wipe away dirt and oil with a tissue! For those who want the ease of purchasing in larger quantities, there is the Cindy's Meaningful Beauty Club that offers a 30 Day Introductory System $29.95 *plus shipping charges. Every three months thereafter you will automatically be sent (and billed) supplies for another three months at $89.95 + $9.95 shipping. If you don't want to commit to a quantity of products you don't have to. A one-month supply of each products ranges from $13.00 for the Cleanser, to Moisturizer at $22.00.

Clarins Bright Plus Brightening Cleansing Mousse $15.00 5.1 fl. oz is not only an effective, fresh-smelling, oil-free, liquid cleanser in a handy plastic pump bottle, but it also can help you to have a brighter, fresher, complexion. Foaming agents such as coconut and wheat cleanse and help eliminate impurities from your skin, while extracts of Raspberry, Grapefruit, Japanese Mandarin, Strawberry, Gentian, Chamomile and Parsley help restore a bright, fresh, luminous complexion. Better yet, it's gentle enough to use day and evening.  Sneak Peek: This October, Clarins will be introducing yet another step to eliminate dark spots, exfoliate and brighten your skin.We are delighted that we got an advance look!  Clarins Bright Plus Gentle Brightening Exfoliator $29.00 1.7 oz, is a luxurious, super-creamy exfoliator with three types of mineral and plant "micro-beads" to (again, gently) remove gently remove impurities and refine skin texture. A Clarins exclusive brightening plant complex (Raspberry, Strawberry, Parsley, Chamomile, Grapefruit and Mandarin) and Salicylic Acid help to promote a brighter, more even-looking complexion, while purifying Gentian helps skin remain clean and fresh. For those who are worried about using harsh brighteners and exfoliators but wondering what else, works, here's your answer!

FOR MEN:  Whether they admit it or not, men are not only reading the Advice Sisters "What Works" Beauty & Fashion Review columns, they're beginning to see the benefits of products created to help them look and feel their best. We've picked out just a few, for FALL:

This is the season for his and hers fragrances. While Very Irrésistible For Men $45.00  1.7 fl. oz Eau De Toilette Spray by Givenchy is just as chic and luxe a fragrance as the women's version with the same name, that's where the similarity ends. This is nothing like the rose/floral women's version. The men's version is a   sensual, woody/green, long-power scent, with notes of grapefruit, mint, sesame seed, and mocha, blended with hazelnut wood and Virginia Cedar. Men particularly liked the long-lasting, multi-faceted attitude, the natural notes (especially the mocha) and the unique way it translates to the wearer:  "I won't smell like every other guy," said one reviewer. We also like the imposing, angled glass tower with incorporated spray top (photo). This long-lasting fragrance is somewhat formal and works well with business suits and/or for special occasions, but can be dressed down for sports clothes, too.

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About the "What Works Beauty & Fashion Review Columns: Alison Blackman Dunham  (a.k.a. "Advice Sister Alison" of The Advice Sisters®)  is a life & career expert, advice columnist, certified image & color/personal public relations consultant. She has written the "What Works" quarterly reviews since 1999. The goal of  "What Works" is to direct you to the best products and services so only products that can be given positive reviews, are included.   Each product is reviewed personally by Ms. Blackman Dunham herself, and occasionally, from anonymous, qualified reviewers. No one receives compensation or is affiliated with the companies mentioned in the column.  If you have comments about the column or about  items listed, or if you would like to be considered as a reviewer Email: advicesisters@advicesisters.net.

Don't forget PAGE ONE featuring clever beauty finds, Lip, eye and nail products, body bling,  household enhancers, and gift suggestions. Visit the 'WHAT WORKS" ARCHIVES for all the columns you may have missed.