Lavanila Vanilla Coconut

To my mind, there is nothing more summery than the wonderful scent of coconut. Add that scent to pure, creamy vanilla and I am transported to heaven in the form of a tropical beach vacation. However, no tropical beach vacation will be occuring this summer for myself so I have to make do with smelling the fragrances that transport my mind to my island oasis. Enter Lavanila's Vanilla Coconut fragrance.

Lavanila is a company that prides themselves on using 100% natural ingredients and considers their product to be "healthy fragrances". Sephora describes the scent of this fragrance as "sweet paradise found". I think this is exactly what I have had in mind during the slew of rainy days that we are having here in the Northeast.

Sephora states that, "Escape with Vanilla Coconut filled with an indulgent blend of young coconut, hints of Monoi Tiare (a Tahitian white flower), and a warm sensual base of Madagascar vanilla bean. You'll instantly be transported to an island of healthy delights. LAVANILA carefully infuses pure essential oils with 100 precent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing. With each spray, proprietary natural technology wraps the skin with super anti-oxidants goji berry and kadaku plum, soothing willowherb, and hydrating olive leaf for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals and 19 amino acids. Imagine, a fragrance that not only smells good but is good for you!" The notes are coconut, tiare flower, heliotrope, sandalwood, and Madagascar vanilla.

My only complaint with this product is that the lasting power is not fantastic but I guess that is to be expected of a fragrance that is considered to be based on natural ingredients and not artifical chemicals. This fragrance comes in two sizes of EDT sprays, a shower gel, a body butter, and a deodorant. At one point, I thought that I had seen candles from this line at Sephora but they aren't listed up on the website so I guess they were a limited edition product.

My only wish...that this product would be made in a bath milk. Lavanila, are you listening?!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Freeze 24/7 Ice Shield Facial Cleanser

Freeze 24/7 is a company that is most known for it's anti-aging skin creams and the instant gratification that they are able to provide. Their skin creams are among the best selling products at Bendels and Saks and have attracted a near ravenous cult-like following. However, this company didn't really have many porducts designed to prevent signs of aging, their technology was targeted to products that only have treat the current signs of aging. But, given the time, this company has managed to release a cleanser that is the first of its kind, just as their skin creams were several years ago. This product is called Ice Shield Facial Cleanser with SPF 15 and happens to be a favorite of mine. I first tried this product out two summers ago and haven't looked back since.

This product is the first-ever face wash to contain an added SPF and has been recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective form of sun protection. One major reason that this product is effective is that it is very easy to use in the morning and is not an extra step that could be forgotten or passed over when hurrying. And we all know that the easier a product is to use, the more likely that it is will be used consistently and correctly.

Freeze 24/7 describes the product as follows, "A world's first in preventative anti-aging skincare. By simply washing your face, Ice Shield provides protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays, one of the leading causes of skin aging. This super-charged SPF cleanser protects, hydrates, and clarifies your complexion while infusing skin with essential anti-oxidants. Easy to apply, rinses off like an ordinary cleanser, and doesn't leave a greasy residue like a traditional sunscreen. What better way to feel protected from everyday incidental sun exposure. Skin is clean, refreshed, and always protected...all day, every day, winter, spring, summer, and fall".

A couple key ingredients...

Aquea SPF Technology - shields away impurities and hamrful effects of UVA/UVB rays.

Avobenzone - a key sunscreen active ingredient and recognized by the FDA as an effective UVA filter.

White Willow Extract - natural source of salicylic acid for gentle skin clarification.

White Tea Extract - natural source of anti-oxidant for added UV protection.

Coconut Extract - natural source of emollient for superior skin hydration.

Panthenol - nourishes and smoothes the skin.

Silk Amino Acids - conditions the skin.

Tocopheryl Acetate - helps to fight against free radicals.

This product is very creamy and still manages to rinse cleanly. It has a light, unoffensive fragrance that is uni-sex and shouldn't bother even those who are most affected by fragrances.

The key to this product is that the SPF stays on the skin based on charged ions that attract the SPF ingredients but do not attract the rest of the ingredients in the cleanser. This is a fantastic idea and a great product however as stated by the company, this product is meant for incidental sun exposure. Like walking to the subway. Or sitting in an office with a window in it. It is not recommended for prolonged time spent in the sun (like at a beach for the whole day). If that is the scenerio, than a much higher SPF is recommended.

photo courtesy of Freeze 24/7

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer

Too Faced has recently released a new bronzer for the summer of 2009. This bronzer has a matte finish unlike many of the bronzers that I have seen with more of a shimmery finish. So far this summer, I have become totally sick of bronzers and tanners but I am still intrigued by this one. Why? This one has a matte finish and therefore might look a bit more natural than that shimmer spiked ones that I keep running into at Sephora. Also this bronzer contains real cocoa powder so I am in the hopes that it will smell the best out of any of the products that are currently available.

This product is considered to be a "delectable matte bronzer". Here is the description of the product from the Sephora website, "Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer makes getting glam-and-tan downright delicious. Too Faced combines the natural, therapeutic effects of real cocoa powder with their signature bronzing pigments, creating a unique matte bronzer that neutralizes red and evens out and enhances all skintones. The complexion is left with a flawless finish, a gorgeous radiance, and a subtly sweet scent".

This product looks awfully dark and slightly scary in the packaging but when appiled with a light hand, produces a very nice tan shade for pale skin. I would imagine that a woman with a deeper skintone could use a much heavier had with this but for us pale girls, a little bit goes a long way. Swirling a bronzer brush around just the edges fo the product helps to ensure that only the right amount of product is picked up. I read over a bunch of the reviews on the Sephora website and what most people are the happiest about is that it has a matte finish and therefore is more wearable in the daytime. And now with this product, my whole face can smell like candy!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Jo Malone Red Roses

Red Roses by Jo Malone has been one of my favorite fragrances for the spring and summer since I picked it up at Saks over a year ago. It is my opinion that the British perfume houses do rose fragrances the best since the rose features so heavily in their culture. This fragrance is unique in that it is considered to be a green floral because the green notes in the scent balance out the florals.

This fragrance is composed of seven different types of roses to make up the heart of the fragrance along with the crushed violet leaves. The fragrance starts off with the citrus and green notes than the florals erupt and soften the whole fragrance. The citrus top note is lemon and the green note is spearmint. With the multitude of notes in this fragrance, the company recommends it to be layered with rose fragrances or with citrus fragrances depending on which notes the wearer wants to feature the most prominently. I layer it with rosy products since I always want the roses to be center stage.

However even if someone is not a rose lover like myself, this fragrance can be appreciated for the others notes and the uniqueness of the greens in it. This fragrance is on the lighter side, since it does not contain much a base note (like the amber in Stella) so wear time isn't quite as long as I would like to it be. However, the lightness of the fragrance makes it great for warmer weather and casual days. This fragrance comes in colonge form and the 3.4 oz bottle that I own has lasted me this long and will continue to last for at least another year. This fragrance is also available in body products (which I have yet to collect all of) and I wish that it would come out in home fragrance forms since Jo Malone candles are amazing.

This is another fragrance that will continue to feed my addiction for roses as long as it is being sold (and that sold be for quite a long time since it is often out of stock at Bergdorf Goodman).

photo courtesy of Jo Malone

MAC Euristocrats 2

Pardon me while I do a dance for joy...

Ok, I'm back. And what was that dance for you might ask? MAC has just released a new collection of Dazzleglasses. Dazzleglasses have officially become one of my new obsessions and I can't visit the MAC counter without adding one to my shopping bag. Actually I can barely walk by MAC without buying something but we will save that problem for another day. I just love to look at the shimmer and sparkle that this line of glosses produce.

This collection is called Euristocrats 2 and here is the description from MAC, "Six hot new Dazzleglass shades to add the sheen, the sparkle, and the ohh-la-la that never fails to entertain. They're the "something extra" that we've added to the Lipstick and Dazzleglass collection Euristocrats can't get enough of. More, more, more!" Well I can't get enough of them either so I guess that makes me a trendy European!

Here is the collection...

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made MAC famous.

- Patisserie - sheer creamy neutral pink (Lustre)

- Costa Chic - frosty light coral (Frost)

- Saint Germain - clean pastel pink (Amplified)

- Milan Mode - sheer deep pink with multidimensional pearl (Lustre)

- Naked Paris - sheer pink brown with multidimensional pearl (Lustre)

- London Life - sheer deep berry with multidimensional pearl (Lustre)

- Cockney - sheer yellow red with mutlidimensional pearl (Lustre)

Dazzleglass - Lipcolour that dazzles with light and shine to bring an exciting dimensional pop to your lips. Large particle pearls reflect and refract light to mimic the brillance of quartz and opal crystal. Privides exceptional shine with a crystalline iridescense. Non-sticky, non-tacky, lightweight, and moisturizing. Glides on. Wear slone or layer over Lipstick or Lipglass for a dramatic effect. Features our signature MAC vanilla aroma.

- Rue d' Rouge - light red with pink pearl

- Via Veneto - light violet with blue pearl

- Local Colour - neutral yellow pink with gold pearl

- Euro Beat - peach coral with gold pearl

- Internationalist - yellow pink with blue pearl

- Roman Holiday - medium brown coral with pink pearl

- Date Night - soft blue purple with pearl

Lip Pencil - A pencil designed for shaping, lining, or filling in the lip. Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining the lips or filling them in. the are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colours that each work well with many different lipstick shades. The colour of Lip Pencils is protected by Vitamin E, which acts as an anti-oxidant, and they contain emollients that moisturize the lips. Lip Pencils can be worn alone, with Lipstick, or Lipglass.

- Subculture - underground pink

- Whirl - dirty rose

- Cherry - vivid bright bluish-red

- Magenta - vivid pinkish-purple

Well, I just saw my Visa cringe. Here is what I from each product line. From the new lipstick shades, I want: Patisserie, Saint Germain, Milan Mode, Naked Paris, and Cockney. Of the Dazzleglasses, I want: Via Veneto and Internationalist. I have never found any allure in lip pencils so I will be passing on those.

More Dazzleglasses and more reasons to buy lipsticks! Euro flair here I come!

photo courtesy of MAC

Benefit Coralista Blush

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C.O. Bigelow Lemon Pomegranate Body Care

I still remember when C.O. Bigelow products were first released at Bath and Body Works. I was still in my Tutti Dolci love phase and wasn't really all that excited for products that didn't smell like Sugar Wafer. However, Bath and Body Works was seriously pumped about this release and gave the associates tons of products to try out and take home to use. A new love is born...

I have used the Lemon body product line forever and a day. This is one fo the few body products that I actually finish up and then go out and buy more (usually I finish up one scent of products and try out a new one). Lemon Cream, Lemon Lotion, Lemon Lip Cream...I love them all!

Bigelow has released a new cousin to the Lemon family of products, a line of Lemon Pomegranate products. These products remind me of a tart berry lemonade and smell fantastic when applied. There are four products in this line: a lip gloss, a body cream, a body wash, and (my favorite) a body scrub.

The lip gloss has a creamy, hydrating texture and gives minimal shine. The Bath and Body Works website states that, "This super-emollient formula is packed with anti-oxidant rich pomegranate to defend lips against skin-damaging free radicals". If this product had a SPF, i would be in heaven but since it lacks one...I use this product more as a hydrator at night than during the day.

The body cream has a light, easy-to-rub-in texture while still managing to have superior hydration benefits for the skin. The Bath and Body Works website says that, "This protective body cream combines the skin-brightening benefits of lemon with a twist of antioxidant-packed pomegranate to protect and nourish skin while helping to provide long-lasting moisture and defend against free radical damage". And it smells amazing!!

The body wash is a great choice for warmer weather becuase it rinses clean and doesn't leave any residue on the skin. From the website, "This antioxidant-packed, super lathering formula combines skin-brightening lelon and protective pomegranate to nourish skin while cleansing, leaving it feeling renewed, soft, and healthy". Another winner from this collection.

My favorite product from the collection is the body scrub. Its texture reminds of a long-discontinued Bigelow Fruit Scrub that contained quince extract. It has a creamy texture while still maintaining top-notch scrubbing benefits. When i use this scrub in the shower, I found that foams up and this allows it be clean rinsing. I love clean rinsing scrubs...feeling like Crisco was rubbed all over me in the shower is not what I go for. Here is the product information from the website, "This skin-refining, antioxidant-rich scrub is formulated to revitalize and brighten skin with a powerful combination of skin-brightening lemon and free-radical fighting pomegranate. the nutrient-packed formula leaves skin looking radiant, smooth, and healthy".

As I stated several entries ago, berry scents that have some type of musk or spice in them are not my cup of tea. This scent is a great example of a crisp, clean berry that has not been muddied up with vanillas and spices. This product line helps to get over the disappointment that I felt when I realized that all the Murad pomegrante body products were not going to be made in full sizes. However, knowing Bath and Body Works, I bet this is limited time product and will not be available to feed my fix much after this summer.

FYI - They are in the final days of their sale...go find this product line - you won't regret it!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Test Driving...

I am currently test driving the new products that I got listed below...thoughts and reviews should hopefully be coming within the next month.

- MAC Lipstick in Russian Red
- MAC Lipstick in MAC Red
- Caudalie Pulpee Vitamine Facial Hydrator
- Make Up For Ever HD Powder
- MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance

What new products are you testing out right now?

Chanel Les Naturels de Chanel

Chanel has already released their summer collection about two months ago but I guess that that one collection wasn't enough for them or their loyal customers. This new collection has just been released is called Les Naturels de Chanel and this could very likely be one of their most popular collections to date. This collection is described by Chanel as being "a quintessential makeup colelction of universally wearable, natural colours designed to enhance and flatter the face...and ensure a woman's best look is naturally her own". I predit this collection will have universal appeal among both beauty addicts and working mothers alike.

Here is the collection...

Ombre Essentielle (Soft Touch Eye Shadow) - An instant Chanel classics, this ultra-fine powder eye shadow is sensuous in feel, foolproof in its application, fabulous in its range of finishes: matte, shimmer, and satin. All shades are complementary and can be blended with one another to lighten, darken, or intensify tone.

- Lotus - stunning shimmery beige

- Mahogany - rich matte brown

- Lily - sheer matte pink

- Slate - matte grey

Joues Contraste (Powder Blush) - Unique powder blusher imparts a flattering radiance to cheeks. Remarkably silky texture for easy application and subtle shading. Accentuate cheekbones for a youthful look. Softer tones around the eyes soften expression and rejuvenate.

- Orchid Rose - nude rose

Rouge Allure (Luminous Satin Lip Colour) - It combines fabulously wearable, lustrous colour and sensational comfort and it is subtly etched with the world-renowned CHANEL logo.

- Naive - pink nude

- Curious - nude brown

Levres Scintillantes (Glossimer) - Intense frost and shine for the lips. Cool array of the hottest colours in a convenient, easy to use case. Gel texture imparts a shimmery, ultra-glossy look. New shades add extra sparkle and shine.

- Unity - soft brown

- Waterlily - shimmery pink

- Bel Air- peach pink

Instead of making a long list of what I want from this collection, I will make a quick list of what I don't. I don't want either of the two brown lip shades but other than those, I want every piece of this collection. My top two choices are the Orchid Rose blush and Waterlily lip gloss. I predit this will sell out quick and will usher in a trend of looking clean and polished instead of bronzy and shimmery.

photo courtesy of Chanel

Smashbox Halo Powder

Smashbox has recently just released a powder called the Halo Powder. This product is the first of its kind and it is much more than just a regular powder. The official name for this product is Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. It is considered to be a face-perfecting anti-aging powder and seems as though it would the end-all product in any woman's skincare and makeup regime.

The description of this product from the Sephora website is right here, "Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skincare built right in. It's advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids, and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continously revitalizes skin and provides a hydrated look that won't accentuate lines and wrinkles. The built-in shaver allows for the convenience of a pressed pwoder combined with radiant finish of a loose one, and the supersized brush deposits the perfect amount of powder every time".

This powder is amde for all skin types and is free of oil, talc, and parabens. This product includes a custom Travel Kabuki Brush for flawless application. Also Smashbox has done clinical testing on this product with some rather impressive results. After 10 minutes, there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eye area. Also, after 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall. I'm not really in need of a product right now that decreases the appearance of lines and wrinkles but I bet that this will appeal to women of all ages.

I am currently trying to decide between purchasing this product and the Make Up For Ever HD Loose Powder. I prefer the look of loose powder over pressed powder but I hate the mess that can come with the application of loose powders. And also they are not portable in any way, shape, or form. This product solves the storage and the portable issues that I have with loose powders. I know that I really won't bother with the travel size brush so that doesn't weight either product in my favor. I guess that I will have to try both products at Sephora and decide which one I prefer the texure of. Or I might just buy both...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Giorgio Armani Summer 2009 Collection - Bronze Mania

So far, I have not used any makeup from the Italian company Giorgio Armani. Living in the non-NYC area, this company is not available at most of the stores near me. However, I have heard many raves about this company so I have decided to look online at their new collection for this summer. This collection is called Bronze Mania and the look is bronze skin, stronger eyes, and minimal lips.

Here are the products...

Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette - Giorgio Armani captures the vivid earth shades of the sienna landscape in an explosion of vibrant mineral colors. Melted together into a fine Microfil texture, this palette is a unique tapestry of sun-splashed colors. Like a picture taken from the sky, the sun-infused palette earth tones present an all-over blush to bronze and sculpt the face for a golden bronze/reddish-brown glow.

Mediterranean Palette - Limited Edition eye palette, features cool colors of the Mediterranean sea: shimmering turquoise, and deep aquamarine, as well as warm shades of iridescent golden sand and copper mahogany. Also features our most popular bronzer shade.

Body Tints Bronzer - Giorgio Armani's unique weightless pigment free formula blends onto skin. The universal natural bronze shade leaves your skin with a subtle sun-kissed effect. The water-soluble formula features a pleasant gel texture.

Bronze Sparkling Top Coat Mascara - Leaves your lashes with a subtle and luminous glow. A touch of sparkling bronze top coat adds golden hues to the tips of your lashes. Features a professional comb applicator that achieves perfect lash separation and definition.

Smooth Silk Eye Pencil - This silky soft formula allows for precise, easy application and versatile looks. Use it to subtly define or intensify your eye look. Glide the smudger over eyeliner for a sexy, smoky result. Available in a subtle palette from pale taupe to soft black. Silky-soft and rich color pencil. Precise application. Smudge for smoldering effects. For an ultra-glamorous look, extend the eye pencil slightly outside the outer corner of the eyes. Build in other eye lining colors with the Eye Liner Brush and moistened Eye Shadow.

Lip Wax - Lipstick without excess. A modern version of lip color, Lip Wax compact lipstick is a blush of color for the lips. The incredibly smooth and silky texture glides over lips leaving rrich, tailor-made color. The ultra-fine and soft Micro-fil veil ensures a smooth and seemingly weightless result. Like a second-skin garment, the weightless texture dresses lips in a comfortable and an extremely fine film of color with a sophisticated satin finish. To obtain a more precise dsitribution of color, apply with the Giorgio Armani Lip Brush. For a sparkling shine, add a layer of Giorgio Armani lip shimmer.

Lip Shimmer - Embellish lips with this iridescent, sparkling gloss. Lavishes lips with a sultry veil of color. Leaves a shimmering, elegant finish. Paint your lips with the precise brush applicator. Sophisticated, shimmering translucent gloss. Unique high precision brush applicator. Add Lip Shimmer over Lipstick to give more depth, intensity, and shine to the shade.

Hmmmm...I am beginning to get excited about this line of products. I really want to try the Lip Wax since I have heard many raves about it. Since I have been a lip gloss freak for the past few weeks, I really want the Lip Shimmer too. The Mediterranean Palette also looks like a product that will be topping my shopping list. I am curious about the Bronze Top Coat Mascara, i would love to see if it will make my eyes more blue without looking obvious.

Verdict - I need to get the Saks in New Jersey and begin to add this line to my makeup collection

photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Stila Summer 2009 Collection

Stila seems to have had quite a wild ride the past few months, between changing top leadership and many rumors of the company totally going under, the company has been all over the beauty news. Devotees feared that they would never get their favorite lip glosses ever again. Well with a new leader at the helm, Stila has come back and hopefully they will become better than ever. With the joyride of the past few months, I was not expecting any type of new collections from them this summer. However, they surpassed my expectations and brought out a bunch of new products and colors for this summer.

The collection is called Indian Summer and it is known as the "24k Gold Collection". The collection boasts that it is infused with 24k gold. The company states that gold is a known anti-oxidant and has microbial properties. They also state that gold creates a youthful, glistening finish for the skin.

Here is the collection...

24k Lip Gloss - Add some sizzle to your summer with Stila's 24kt gloss! Infused with 24k genuine 24kt gold, this non-sticky formula gives you a vibrant, glistening, gorgeous grin. The smooth textureis loaded with moisture-locking ingredients including Vitamin E to nourish and condition and Vitamins A & C to provide anti-oxidant protection and keep the lips hydrated. The 24kt gold powder nourishes and protects the lips, and gives you a beautiful gold shimmer. Adorned with a genuine handmade Indian bindi, this glimmering gloss can be worn alone or over your favorite lipstick for a dazzling effect.

- Brilliant Pink - intense pink

- Golden Charm - intense yellow gold

- Precious Coral - light coral

- Radiant Sunset - mid-tone red

- Vintage Merlot - deep berry

Charmed Eye Shadow Palette - Go for the gold and the bold this summer with Stila's India-inspired eye shadow palette! Adorned with authentic Indian bindis, this palette features four highly-pigmented new shadow shades all infused with genuine 24kt gold. Long revered for its skin revitalizing properties, this luxurious metal helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and creates a rich, shimmering effect. Create countless looks with these silky smooth eye shadow shades. Palette includes four wet-to-dry shimmer shadows.

- Intense teal blue with green and gold shimmer/mid tone copper with gold shimmer/warm gold with gold shimmer/deep burgundy with black and red shimmer

Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - Stila's bestselling Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer has gone golden! Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - infused with genuine 24kt gold - contains the perfect ratio of pigment to pearl, providing a beaming, flawless face in an instant. The anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties of gold leave the skin with a youthful, vibrant summertime sheen, while SPF 15 ensures that the skin is protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Smudge Pot - Golden Noir - Add a little sass to your sultry summer look with Smudge Pout in Golden Noir. This new twist on the cult favorite Smudge Pot sprinkles 24kt gold into the rich matte black base leaving eyes guilded and glam. Long revered for its skin revitalizing properties, this "touch of gold" helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and creates a rich, shimmering effect. The easy-to-apply longwearing formula is perfect for lining, blending, and won't clump or flake.

Mineral Bronzing Powder - Crushed Gold - Radiant, bronzed skin has never looked so good (or been so good for you!). This 100% natural finishing powder gives your skin a warm, natural bronzed glow with one simple dusting. Eco-certified ingredients hydrate and protect, while the pearl pigments and 24kt gold - a known anti-oxidant with added anti-microbial properties - keeps skin youthful and glowing. Mediterranean clay moisturizes and revitalizes the skin with minerals. The paraben-free, fragrance-free formula contains no synthetics - leaving the skin naturally fresh.

Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain - This season's latest super-fruit inspired multi-tasker will give you instant glamour gratification. Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain is infused with naturally staining mango extracts that react your personal pH levels to create your perfect shade everytime. Used a sheer blush, or a lip tint and packaged in Stila's iconic clickable pen, this formula is easy to build and blend, and leaves your lips and cheeks with a frsh flush of youth. Scented and flavored like a sweet summertime mango and infused with real extract from its namesake fruit, Stila's new Crush contains phyto-nutrients and antioxidants that protect and nourish your skin. Vitamins A, C, and E moisturize the cheeks and lips and leave them with a sheer, fresh, and radiant glow.

Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara - Stila's Lash Visor Mascara has long been an industry favorite. It's quick-drying, long-wearing; waterproof proof formula makes it the perfect do-it-all mascara. And now - it is even better! Stila has put the iconic formula in a bigger metal component - so there is more mascara to love. It also has a redesigned brush for thick, long, luxurious lashes that stay perfectly defined all day! This waterproof formula coats and fills lashes with ease, without flaking. Gentle formula keeps lashes curled and conditioned.

Convertable Color Duo - Marigold - Get that sun-kissed glow you long for with the newest edition to the award-winning Convertable Color Family - Marigold. Infused with 24kt - a known anti-oxidant with added microbial properties - Marigold features two gorgeously golden hues that will give your skin a natural, youthful glow. Wear shades alone or mix to together to create a brillantly bronzed look.

Props to Stila for taking a new ingredient - the 24kt gold - and using it to create a brand new and very unique line of products! I don't know much about the use of 24kt gold in skincare and I doubt that there has been independant research into the effectiveness of this ingredient so I am not sure how well it will perform as an anti-oxidant. That being said... I want the Brillant Pink and Radiant Sunset lipglosses and the eye shadow palette. However, the new shade of the Smudge Pot is calling my name and I am so excited to see this one in real life. I really think this new shade could be the hit of the collection.

photo courtesy of Stila

Dior Addict Lip Polish

Dior has released a new lip gloss at the beginning of this summer only to Sephora Beauty Insiders. At first glance, this lip gloss seems to be similar to the other glosses currently in their collection. However, this gloss is considered to be the first of its kind because it has a rotating wand to aid in the application of the product. Is this necessary or just a gimmick to try and sell what I believe to be their highest priced lip gloss so far.

Sephora describes the product right here. This product is considered to be both a moisturizing lip primer and lip gloss in one product. "To create ultrasmooth, ultrashiny lips backstage at fashion shows, makeup artists roll a cotton swab along models' lips to gently exfoliate; they then apply petroleum jelly to prime to surface and multiply the shine of the gloss topcoat. Now, inspired by these backstage secrets, Dior introduces the new Dior Addict Lip Polish. Enriched with moisturizing hyaluronic microspheres and ultrareflective mother-of-pearl pigments; the incredibly supple formula instantly recreates the impeccable, glowing look of the runway. The revolutionary and exclusive spin-on applicator, which picks up just the right amount of product and then rolls it uniformly onto the lips, provides a delicate massage that enhances the benefits of the formula. Each gorgeous shade is expertly designed to deliver a different effect".

Fresh Expert is a sheer pink that restores lips' youthfulness and promotes fresh looking beauty. Glow Expert is a sheer light coral that adds sheer, warm color to lips to give luminosity and glow. Radiance Expert is a sheer beige that optimally rebalances the natural color of the lips and illuminates them with radiance.

My thoughts...This product is gimmicky. I have no doubt that the shades are beautiful and gloss impeccable. This is Dior, after all. I am interested in the formula but I will need a demonstration to fully sell me on the benefits of the spin-on applicator. I really like the Fresh Expert shade and am looking forward to going to Sephora and getting this shade. However, I would still like this shade even without the roll-on applicator.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Lady GaGa's Bright Pink Lips

Lady GaGa recently graced the cover Rolling Stone, clad in a bubble dress, big hair, and bright pink lipstick. The article was very interesting and make listening to the CD even better for me and now I added Lady GaGa to the group in my mind that contains Brit and Madonna.

And the part of the interview that I was most excited about is that GaGa is going to be one fo the new faces of MAC, along with Cyndi Lauper. Rolling Stone was talking about the photo shoot where both of them were posing with bright pink lipstick statues.



To celebrate...more pictures of GaGa! This picture, taken around last Valentine's Day, shows GaGa's love of bright pink lipstick. Hopefully all of the pictures of her in bright pink lipstick hint at an upcoming MAC collection being all about pink lipsticks and glosses.



photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

Lancome Summer 2009 - Tropiques Minerale

I have become quite a fan of Juicy Tubes within the past few weeks so I am really looking forward to this new collection from Lancome. Ever since the end of April, I have been buying lip glosses like there is no tommorrow. Hopefully this collection will contain a several pretty shades for the summertime. Maybe even a shade or two that will complement my faux bronzed skin. This collection is called Tropiques Minerale and is another collection based on bronzy skin and beachy beauty. However, I have a feeling that when I fell in love with their spring collection that it was a quick love affair and one that was doomed to fail.

This collection was not easy to find and piece together so I hope that I have all the products and that they are all correct. I still do not understand why spring looks are up on websites since it is now long past springtime and it is now firmly summertime. So here is what I can find between the Lancome site and the Macy*s site.

Tropiques Minerale Loose Bronzer - Precious earths, exclusively selected for their luxurious silky texture and gentle quality, are layered with mineral pigments in this lightweight powder to mimic the true color of tanned skin. Unique technology with inalterable earths ensures exquisite wear all day. Mineral blend smoothes complexion, while Aloe Vera helps protect skin from dryness.

- Natural Ambre - for deeper skin tones

- Natural Copper - for medium skin tones

- Natural Golden - for pale skin tones

Tropiques Minerale Pressed Bronzer SPF 15 - Precious earths, exclusively selected for their luxurious silky texture and gentle quality, are layered with mineral pigments in this lightweight poweder to mimic the true color of tanned skin. Unique technology with inalterable earths ensures exquisite wear all day. Mineral blend smoothes complexion, while Aloe Vera helps protect skin from dryness. Also contains minerals that provide SPF 15.

- Natural Sunbath - for deeper skin tones

- Natural Sunkiss - for medium skin tones

- Natural Suntan - for all skin tones

Blush Subtil Duo - Delicate oil-free powder blush and cream highlighter. Blush provides natural looking color for a beautiful fresh finish; silky soft, micro bubble formula glides on easily and evenly; oil-free and oil absorbing yet moisture balancing. Highlighter provides complementing sheer cream blush highlighter that enhances the complexion for a subtle radiant luminousity; beautifully blendable cream blush is smooth and non-greasy; incredibly easy to apply; can be worn alone or with powder blush for colro that wears for hours without fading.

- Mauve Mystere - two shades of mauve

- Rose Sophisticate - two shades of pale pink

- Stylish Coral - two shades of coral

Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad - Design eyes with a color designer's palette of finishes: from shimmer to sheen, metallic to matte. Micro-aired powder technology offers supreme smoothness and blendability in the sultriest new shades.

- Bronze Midnight - bronze, two shades of pale gold, deep brown

- Coral Paradise - coral, two shades of pale gold, deep brown

- Safari Escape - gold, two shades of pale taupe, deep green

Also part of this collection are the new Juicy Tubes PURE, which I have already discussed in a post from earlier this month so I do not proprose to discuss them all over again. I have a feeling that I am only getting about half of this collection but the products are scattered all over "New Products" and Lancome still has products from spring mixed in there too. I think I will passing on this whole collection, nothing that I have found has really rocked my boat so far.

photo courtesy of Lancome

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Line

The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale is almost upon us. I know that everyone goes to this sale for the cute panties, bras, sleepwear, and the like. But today and tommorrow, we are going to look at some other reasons to hit up the sale. I am not really a fan of the traditional products but the Beauty Rush line has really captured my interest. The company recently redid some of this line, introduced a 3 in 1 body wash, and got rid of the glitter spiked products. There are currently six permanent fragrances in this collection and they introduce new fragrance that come out for each season. The seasonal fragrances usually only come out in lotions, mists, and lip gloss. I usually tend to avoid these limited time collections since I am not a fan of the lotions or the mists.

Here are the first three fragrances and tommorrow we will look at the other three.

The first fragrance is my favorite, Appletini. This fragrance first came out in 2005 in a limited edition summer collection at Bath and Body Works. This is the fragrance that never sold at my store so of course it was the one that I loved the most. I am actually on my last old bottle of it from that time period. This a light fragrance and reminds me of apple Jolly Ranchers instead of apple martinis. It is much sweeter than the smell of the drink, which is probably a good thing for sales of the scent. The company describes it a "cool, tart, sweetly intense treat".

The second fragrance is called Juiced Berry. I normally hate berry scents so I was really surprised when I tried this one on and fell in love with it. It contains none of the vanilla or musk undertones that most fragrances do. It is just clean, pure berry notes. This fragrance is quite sweet and many people state that it reminds them of a berry candy scent. The company describes it as a "blast of super ripe berries".

The third fragrance is called Honey Do and this is their newest fragrance. I love this one, it is cool, clean, fruity all at the same time. It smells exactly like honeydew melons and the scent of the cream lingers quite a long time after using it. This one has no description from the company but it you smell a honeydew, you will get this fragrance.

The fourth fragrance is Candy Baby. This one is the sweetest of all of the fragrances. It is a mixture of cotton candy and sweet vanilla notes. This one is a bit lighter than Pink Sugar and it a great fragrance for a someone who is not sure that they are ready to smell like a carnival. the company describes it as a "sweet puff of cotton candy".

The fifth fragrance is called Coconut Craze and I initially thought this was a true coconut fragrance when I sniffed it in the bottle but when it is applied to the skin, I can smell the coconut notes and pineapple notes. It reminds me very much of a pina colada.

The last fragrance is called Slice of Heaven. This is another sweet, gourmand fragrance. It is cakey and has some vanilla frosting notes in it. This one is also lighter than most gourmand fragrance on the market today. The company describes it as "a sugary slice of sweet vanilla cake". This is another great choice for someone who is just beginning to try sweet fragrances.

This line offers a fragrance mist, a 3 in 1 wash, and three forms of moisturizers.

Body Double Mist - Two layers of skin conditioners and fragrance mix things up for soft, scented skin.

Body 3 in 1 Wash for Shower, Bubble Bath, & Hair - A multi-task wash that's a triple treat! Moisture-rich shower gel, bubble bath, and shampoo with provitamin B5 leaves skin and hair soft and scented.

Body Glimmer Swirl Cream - Super-nourishing body cream with Provitamin B and shea butter quenches skin with shimmering moisture.

Body Drink Lotion - Natural skin conditioners make for a super-soft, moisture drenched bod.

Body Souffle Moisture Cream - A luminous take on weightless hydration. Fluffy souffle cream with nourishing aloe and avocado oil wraps skin in sweet, silky moisture.

I love all the fragrances for different reasons but I do have to state that my favorites are Candy Baby, Appletini, and Honey Do. My favorite products are the 3 in 1s, the glimmer cream, and moisture cream. The glimmer cream leaves a subtle shimmer that is great on summer bronzed skin. I do not like the oily feeling that the body mist leaves and the lotion is just an average lotion, the other hydrators are much better.

Grab some of these treats with your panties and bras!

photo courtesy of Victoria's Secret

Guerlain Summer 2009 - Summer Splash

Guerlain's most popular product of the Spring 2009 Collection was the pale green lip gloss that was designed after the apple in the Garden of Eden. At first glance, I don't see any products that look like they could inspire that kind of madness in the collection that is new for this summer. But you never really know....

I have been stalking the Guerlain website for the past week for a description of this collection from them but they have been very slack in getting this collection up on their website. I guess it is the eternal spring in their world. I had to resort Sephora and Nordstrom to get some information on these new items.

Here is the collection...
Kiss Kiss Stick Gloss (Extreme Fruity Colors) - The first stick gloss by Guerlain, Kiss Kiss Stick Gloss continues to expand its palette of colors to embellish the lips with endless sparkles of light. In it's metallic summer packaging, with a satiny sand color, three new shades light up golden skin.

- Corail des Mers - deep coral

- Grenades des Iles - nude

- Rose Des Sables - deep rose

Ombre Eclat One Shade - "Summer Splash" - Single Eye Shadow - Ombre Eclat One Shade is the largest single eye shadow product on the market. Intense and long-lasting colors allow for light and delicate eye makeup or a more sophisticated, dramatic effect, always with an immpecable finish. Available in many different shades to collect and match according to your mood.

- Sable Blanc - shimmery white

- Sable Blond - cool taupe

Terracotta "Summer Splash" Loose Powder Kohl - All the sensuality of the Orient is captured by Guerlain in this Terracotta Kohl that plunges the senses into the deep blue sea. a richly pigmented loose powder that enhances and intensifies the eyes with a lagoon blue. Presented in its jewel tube, revamped in dune colors for this new shade, this kohl is as easy to use as ever with its integrated applicator.

- No 05 Lagoon Blue - bright blue

Terracotta Sun Illuminating Powder - This summer, the legendary Terracotta Sun Powder travels to sandy beaches flooded with sun and light in the shape of a seashell. With its featherweight formula, extra-soft transparent particles, and delicately pearly reflections, it instantly adorns the skin with a natural and translucent summer glow. An ode to the aquatic world, Terrracotta Sun reveals an embossed metallic shell presented in an elegant brushed brown mother-of-pearl case. Use all over face and decollete.

- Poudre des Sables - mid-tone bronze

Meteorites "Summer Splash" Illuminating Perfecting Pressed Powder - Inspired by Akoya, the most famous seashell from Tahiti, Meteorites Nacre des Mers celebrates Polynesian light. A tonal palette of beige, ivory, and pearly pale apricot enhances radiance and illuminates the complexion, while the pale blue heart sweeps away small imperfections. The compact of perfecting pearls is housed in a refined case with fragments of metallic shell in homage to island seashells.

Blush 4 Eclats Sculpting Blush - Blush 4 Eclats is the ultimate in sculpting blushers. Its cleverly beveled brush is designed to achieve the perfect color effect. By brushing over the palette from left to right, the brush picks up the lighter shades and applies them to the top of the cheekbones. The darker shades naturally cover the lower cheeks to add depth and structure to the contours of the face.

- Soleil Couchant - range of pinky bronze shades

Le 2 de Guerlain Waterproof Mascara - The prodigious Le 2 de Guerlain mascara quickly claimed its place as a must-have tool in all makeup pouches. The main brush provides volume, length, and curl for the longest lashes, while the mini-brush helps to precisely define all small lashes and lower lashes. To keep your Le 2 de Guerlain at hand, even at the beach, it now comes in a waterproof version in new black-gold packaging. To deploy length, the first supple and liquid polymer helps surround the lashes with a flexible coating by encasing natural waxes. To protect curl and maintain hold, the second polymer, a humid resin, forms a setting film over the first coating as it dries.

- Bleu Cruise #25 - navy blue

- Brun Cruise #35 - brown

- Noir Cruise #15 - black

Ombre Eclat - "Summer Splash" Eye Shadow Palette - Four sunny shades in a satiny, metallic case, evoking beaches of fine sand. The Ombre Eclat 4 Shades palette evokes a warmer climates with Perles des Mers. It adoptsd harmonies of a paradise beach dappled with heat, sun, and water. A pearly taupe and an iridescent turquoise set the tone and sculpt eyelids, while a pearly white and a pearly pink beige illuminate the eyes.

I am almost ready to shoot the eye shadow palette all the way up to the very top of my shopping list but i just can't get past the aqua shade in it. I love the other three shades but I know that that one will go unused. I guess I have to give this product some more thought. I will be getting the two shades of the single eye shadow and the waterproof mascara. I also really am curious about how the blush works to contour and I am considering to going to Nordstrom to have someone tell me more about this product. The Meterorites Pressed Powder is almost too beautiful to use, this is a product that I feel like I would buy and then never do anything but gaze at it.

Nice collection...but I am still lemming the green lip gloss.

PS - I apologize for the odd shaping in the beginning of this entry, I cannot get it to work out normally. No clue why...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Lady GaGa's Red Lips

My current celeb obsession is Lady GaGa. From her style to her debut cd that almost never leaves the player in my car (it exits only to hear Lily Allen's latest).

This picture was taken about three weeks ago in Auckland. I love the red lipstick, that is agreat lip look for her. Her stylist has managed to find the perfect deep red cream shade to suit her complexion.

But the bow hair? It that actually her mane tamed into that shape or it is hair piece. I hope that her real hair was not subject to that...

photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

Flora by Gucci

I am beginning to feel as though I desperately want almost every single fragrance that has been introduced this past spring and so far this summer. However, as many as I am coveting at the moment, the newest release from Gucci has been rocketing up to the top of my shopping list. This fragrance is called Flora and it will be shocking to no one that this is a floral based fragrance. It is described as a "subtle and sophisticated floral scent".

Here is the description of the fragrance from Bergdorf Goodman. "Inspired by the Princesses from the past, the present, and the future...The Floral Donna is a young, natural, spontaneous, elegant, classic, and refined woman who possesses the 'Gucci edge' of power and sensuality. The first floral scarf was exclusively designed for the Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966 and soon became one of the most popular Gucci icons, featured on Gucci fashion and accessories. Years later, Frida Giannini discovered this marvelous drawing from her mother's scarf and was seduced by its playful details and bright colors. Frida reintroduced the Flora pattern and continues to use it throughout her collections. The bottle has Flora Pattern in Black & White Script Logo, Iconic Gucci symbols - Webbing, Gold Bamboo Clean, and a sharp hexagonal shape".

The top notes are Citrus Accords and Peony. The middle notes of the fragrance are Rose and Osmanthus Flower. The base notes are Pink Pepper and Sandalwood.

Yes, this is yet another rose fragrance. Maybe one day I will get sick of fragrances that have rose in the middle notes but until then the top of my shopping lists will always contain rose fragrances. I actually don't think that I have a rose based fragrance that is even remotely close to how this one smells. The pink pepper and sandalwood really set it apart and bring the rose notes out. This fragrance manages to be light enough for summer yet complex enough to wear in cooler weather.

photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

MAC Naked Honey

After the let down that was Style Warrior, I cannot say that I am really looking forward to running out to the MAC counter for this collection. Though I must concede one point that I made about Style Warrior. The associate at the MAC counter at Macy's got me to try on the Fierce and Fabulous Lip Glass, which is described as a magenta purple with shimmer. It looks really dark in the tube but was quite sheer and flattering to my skintone when I applied it. So there was one piece of Style Warrior that went home with me. So let's see if Naked Honey might work...

Here is the description from MAC, "Bees do it...now MAC does it! Honey, that is! Three aspects of golden warmth and sun-made sweetness, layered with two honeycomb-derived fragrances. Complementary shades of High-Light Powder, Eye Shadow, and Lipglass are all the buzz for summer".

Here is the collection...

Eye Shadow - Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well.

- Creme de Miel - frosty light yellow gold

- Pollinator - mid-tone warm reddened peach with pearl

- Buckwheat - dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

Tinted Lipglass - A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny, and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.

- She's a Star - light neutral gold

- Queen Bee - mid-tone apricot with multi-dimensional pearl

- Buzz - dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

High-Light Powder - A High-Light Powder specially created for the Naked Honey collection. Features an embosssed honeycomb pattern. Superfine, impeccably pearlized, it creates soft highlights on cheek, brow, and shoulders - anywhere on the body. Limited Edition.

- Honey Light - a light peachy gold with shimmer

- Golden Nectar - Muted golden tan with shimmer

Naked Honey Skin Salve - Formulated from organic beeswax, sunflower oil, and other natural ingredients, this rich honey-scented and flavored salve instantly moisturizes and helps recondition dry skin. Multi-purpose. Use everywhere. Limited Edition.

Naked Honey Hand and Body Cream - A sensuous cream made from bio-converted honey, and vitamin derivatives. Absorbs quickly for skin-softening moisture. Conditions, nourishes, protects. Use on all areas where ultra-moisture is called for. Limited Edition.

Naked Honey Body Wash - Formulated from bio-converted honey, this body wash cleanses the skin while providing the soothing and moisturizing benefits of lavender, narcissus, jasmine flower waxes, and blue agave extracts. Provides a sensual, calming, cleansing experience. Limited Edition.

Creations Hue : Naked Honey - An aromatic journey that traces honey's fragrant heart back to summer's sweetest blooms. Energy starts to buzz, spirits soar, light floral and woodsy notes float toward an electric finale. Sweet and sexy all the way. Limited Edition.

Creations Hue : Africanimal - A scent that starts with honey-ness that's sdeuctive and given its dash of pepper, not without spice. Add a dark kiss of bergamot and wood, and an aromatic orgy breaks out to create a scent that's all honey but far from sweet. Limited Edition.

I love these three new eye shadow shades, I might considering pre-ordering these before the collection drops tommorrow. Other that that, MAC will get me with its introduction of body products that match this collection. I have used honey based products before, both for their scent and the humectant powers that they possess. I can't say that I am that excited about anything else in this collection though. I would like to try out of the High-Light Powder in the lighter shade but it doesn't really grab at me right now.

photo courtesy of MAC

Chanel Lumieres Celestes Collection

Chanel has just released a new collection of Glossimers for the season. These are all Limited Edition and have the promise to be completely sold out in a matter of hours after hitting the counters. This collection is inspired by Coco Chanel's love of constellations and the stars. The shades in this collections are very sparkly and have been compared by many to the stellar Dazzleglasses that are consistent sellers from MAC.

"Discover a mesmerizing lip colour collection inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel's fascination with the constellations. Eight exquisite new shades of Levres Scintillantes Glossimer bring a brillant reflection of light to the lips." I am so excited to view these shades up close and personal.

Here are the lip shades...

- Cosmos - lilac with silver shimmer

- Jupiter - bright pink with silver shimmer

- Meteore - pale pink with gold shimmer

- Mica - pale pink gold with gold shimmer

- Mirage - lavender with silver shimmer

- Nebula - pale lavender with gold shimmer

- Silex - nude with gold shimmer

- Venus - magenta with silver shimmer

Chanel has also matched four shades of nail polish to these gloss shades. Chanel polish is major weakness of mine so now the company will sucker me into purchasing not only the lip glosses but nail polishes too.

- Cosmic Violine - deep lilac

- Mica Rose - pale pink

- Dazzling - pink red

- Allegoria - pale nude

First of all, I refuse to believe that these lip glosses are very similar to Dazzleglasses. Chanel lip glosses have much more pigment and color to them then the Dazzleglasses that I have tried so far. To be fair, Dazzleglasses are more about shimmer and sparkle than pigment. But I haven't tried all of the Dazzleglasses yet so I do need some other opinions on this point.

I want all eight lip gloss shades and all four nail polishes. The lure of the CCs...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer

Everyone that has not been living under a rock for the past 10 years knows that sun protection is important. Most people that are looking for sun portection are concerned with the SPF number, or the Sun Protection Factor. Also, the whole beauty industry is aware that a good sunscreen will protect against both kinds of the damaging sun rays.

However, what most people don't know is that the sunscreen rating system that is in use in the United States only measures the skin burning UVB rays. So a sunscreen that is dubbed as effective is really only effective at screening out the UVB rays. The level of protection for UVA rays is not measured so with an SPF of 30, an individual will be protected against UVB rays for 30x longer but the user doesn't know if the UVA ray protection is effective for 30x longer or if the minimum of the UVA blockers are in the suncreen. The UVA rays are not burning your skin but they are actively aging skin and breaking down skin proteins.

This system for determining sun protection effectiveness is only used in the United States. In Japan, sunscreens are rated for the amount of protection that they provide against both types of sun rays. This system is called the PA rating and it is able to rate UVA rays along with the current system of rating UVB rays.

Wish you were in Japan? Well so do I. Since I can't fly around the world just to purchase sunscreen I have to shut up and deal. Right? Wrong! Bliss has just released the first sun product in the United States that was tested using the PA system and can assure the user of protection from both types of the sun's rays. This product is called Best of Skintentions and it is described as a "daily moisturizer that offers SPF 15 PA++ UVA/UVB Sun Protection for all skin types".

Here is some more information about this product from Sephora, "Bliss Best of Skintentions is a moisturizer on a mission to provide beautifully, healthy skin - today, tommorrow, and beyond. Invest in your complexion with this formula's powerful sun and antioxidant protection, essential illuminating phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that work together to keep your skin safe and smooth".

Three thoughts - I like this system that measures the UVA rays, I am so glad that the United States still operates in the Victorian era with sun protection and that other major countries are far ahead of us, and I hope this product comes out with a higher SPF.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Lancome Juicy Tubes PURE

It now appears that French company Lancome has jumped on the "pure and natural" bandwagon with their most recently introduced line of Juicy Tubes. This company has never really struck me as one of the ones that it really concerned about green beauty and the eco lifestyle but maybe that is about to change with the introduction of these new lip glosses. Over the past few weeks, I have opened up the rest of the shades in the Juicy Tubes set that I got back before Christmas and I must say that I am very happy with them so far. I really like the shine payoff and the lighter texture of the gloss. I support Lancome trying to go green with their newer products but I hope that the formula isn't changed so much that I will no longer like the lip glosses for the reasons that I do now.

I searched for these glosses on the Lancome website and I am very pleased to see that they already have a wide variety of shades to choose from. From the Lancome website, "Lancome invents its first true lip gloss from nature, Juicy Tubes PURE, Premium, Unique, Raw, Elements. 95% natural origin ingredients and 100% natural origin flavors. Formula with naturally derived oils and shea butter emollient provides high shine color and great comfort on the lips. Paraben free. Limited Edition Lancome Juicy Tubes PURE is inspired by images in nature and the environmentally friendly carton in 100% recyclable material - a Lancome first!"

Here are the shades that have been released so far...

- Bare Honey - pale gold with gold shimmer

- Ginger Root - warm light brown

- Sweet Soy - clear with a hint a pale gold shimmer

- Wild Berry - deep berry with shimmer

- Strawberry Patch - bright pink

- Lavender Zen - pale lavender

- Rose Water - pale pink with a hint of silver shimmer

- Red Peppermint - deep red

- Cherry Tree - medium brown

- Rose Nectar - medium pink

I got the chance to try some one of these out at the Lancome counter, they had very few testers out so I guess that this line is selling pretty well already. The Sweet Soy that I tried had a texture very similar to regular Juicy Tubes and had good shine payoff. Overall, I was rather impressed with the new glosses and I hope that this line will be around longer than the Limited Editions that they are now. Though I can only imagine that they are selling well so far and that they will become a permanent part of the Juicy Tubes collection. Juicy Tubes are already great sellers for Lancome and now the company is able to capitalize on the "natural" trend that is so big right now. From this line I want to get Sweet Soy, Wild Berry, Strawberry Patch, Rose Water, Red Peppermint, and Rose Nectar.

Maybe soon we will be seeing more "natural" offerings from Lancome.

photo courtesy of Lancome

Beachy, Wavy Hair My Way

I have been told that I look really pretty when I allow my natural curls to go wild. However, I vastly beg to differ and will continue to reach for my straightening iron until I can find a way to get beachy hair that only look semi wild and out of control. However, in my version, it is carefully under control and style to perfection...while still be allowed to move. This is one of the few pictures of any celeb that I have ever found that shows exactly how I want my hair to look. Bonus points that it's Jennifer Aniston (and yes...the photo is from 2004 but I still love it).

Sexy and loose but still styled and controlled...will I ever figure out how to make my hair this amazing?!

photo courtesy of Style.com

Shu Uemura Summer 2009 Collection - Eternal Gold

This summer's collection from Shu Uemura is called Eternal Gold and promises to be yet another collection that will be beautiful for perfectly bronzed skin. Maybe this collection will contain several shades of golden eye shadow that would work for me since Shu's quality is second to none in the eye shadow area. Golden shades for lips and cheeks really don't work out well for me but hopefully this collection can wow me in the eye area.

Here is the description of the collection from Shu Uemura, "In this 2009 Summer Mode Makeup Collection, Shu Uemura is influenced by the shimmering gold sunshine that enlightens true beauty. The eternal golden sun collection utilizes the golden rays of the sun that reflect on the skin to enhance glow and create a beautifully bronzed tan. This shimmering range brings out pure and natural beauty in every woman."

Here are the products...

Pressed Eye Shadow - Truest color pay-off and a non-fading finish. The powders capture light absorbing and reflecting it for a multi-dimensional effect.

- ME Gold 350 - metallic true gold

- ME Brown 850 - metallic bronze

Cream Eye Shadow - The unique formula can be layered with pressed eye shadow for a textured, high-impact look; applied alone for a smooth, natural finish; or blended with another shade. 9 blendable and buildable shades in two textures: matte: specially selected shades by specific function for artistic needs - light and shadow control, hue, and complexion control. Pearl: light, neutral shades with pearly effect, perfect for base and for usage with pressed eye shadow. Silicone oils provide a confortable glide, long-wearing and non-creasing.

- P Pink - pearly pale pink

- P Brown 7a - pearly medium brown

UV Under Base Shimmer - Limited Edition. Legendary UV Under Base with a shimmering texture for a natural glow. A weightless mousse makeup base with a ultra thin veil of shimmering pearls that helps even out skintone and texture, reduce redness and minimize the appearance of pores. Use before makeup application to prepare the face for flawless makeup.

Bronzing Powder - Get a sun kissed glow with these summer must-have bronzers in light and warm tones.

- Light - designed for fair skintones

- Medium - designed for medium skintones

- Dark - designed for deep skintones

Natural 50h Goat Brush - Compact-sized brush angled for highlighting and contouring of the face area. Composed of two types of goat hair ideal for the application of pressed powder. The diagonal shape of the brush is intended for multiple usage and the rounded mount is ideal for even application.

Glow On Blush - Enhance and glow. Boundless blush colors to enhnace the cheeks or overall natural glow of the face. Long lasting and great blendability. Can be used wet to intenstify the color payoff. Available in pearl and matte shades.

- P Amber 83 - pearly pale bronze

- P Pink 31 - pearly pale pink

Gloss Unlimited - Easy-to-wear vivid shades in vibrant color. Each shade delievers intense color fidelity and brightness. 3-dimensional shine effect in a non-sticky formula that keeps lips hydrated and soft. Sheer color.

- Br 755n - brown based neutral

Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine - Crystal brillance with dimensional shine. Enhance the lips with luminous colors and crystal-like shine. The light gliding formula melts onto lips, wrapping them in delicate veil of comfort. Satin finish.

- Bg 901s - pale burnished gold

- Pk 301s - pale pinkish gold

Hmmm...I actually have some loves from this collection. I want all of the eye shadows, from both the pressed and cream shadow lines. I would like to try the bronzer in the lightest shade that they make and see how warm it really is. The UV Under Base Shimmer looks like nothing that I have ever used before and is getting me really excited just thinking about how it might work. I also want the P Pink 31 shade of blush, I have heard raves about their blushes from other bloggers and MUA boards so I have high hopes here. I think both of the lipstick shades are beautiful but I feel that they will have too much gold in to suit my skintone.

By the end of this summer...I better have found the perfect shade of bronzer...Every collection has a bunch for me to choose from...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Get Cheeky With Too Faced

Too Faced has just released three new blush shades for the summer. This is the first time that this company has released single blush shades instead of just releasing palette after palette. i don't know about anyone else but I really don't like using blushes that are in palettes since I think that they are too small for my blush to be throughly saturated with pigment. So this introduction got me really excited. The packaging are cute as ever, Too Faced really gets the concept of amazing packaging as well as any company. These shades are said to be good for any complexion but i can't really see all of these shades working for anyone from myself to the deepest of skin tones.

The first shade is called Papa Don't Peach and is the peachiest shade of the collection. "Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush adds a warm burst of fresh peach for a fresh-flushed face. This sheer shade gives your complexion a lovely lift - no matter what your skintone might be." This shade is sheer and natural and would be great for lazy, low maintence days. And the name of this product? This must be my favorite name for a product ever. I love Papa Don't Preach and when I was a kid I called the song Papa Don't Peach.

The second shade is called Pinch My Petals and is the pink shade of the collection. "Too Faced Pinch My Petals is a fresh and light blossom of pinkish mauves that brighten cheeks, forehead, and chin for a perfectly pretty glow. Give yourself a fresh flush with this sheer shade that gives your complexion a lovely lift - no matter what your skintone may be." I love this shade, this might just be a perfect match for me.

The last shade in this collection is called Mocha Mi Amore and is the deepest shade of the collection and the one that I do not think would work out for me at all. "Too Faced Mocha Mi Amore is a rich and creamy mocha brown shade that serves as a pick-me-up for the face or anywhere else you want a natural glow. This sheer shade gives your complexion a lift- no matter what your skintone might be."

I refuse to believe that these shades will work equally well for every skintone, I just don't think that it is possible given the huge variations in skintones and complexions. That being said, I think that Pinch My Petals and Papa Don't Peach will work very well for myself. I cannot wait to give these two shades a test run.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Stella McCartney Sheer Stella

Several weeks ago I finished up my bottle of Stella, my favorite rose scent ever. This fragrance is spiked with amber so it is bit heavy for the spring and summer seasons. So I have to save this fragrance for the cooler months and find something different in warmer weather. I have many different fragrances but this one is still my favorite and I miss it all the time during the spring and summer months.

As if an answer to my prayers, Stella McCartney has released a warm weather version of this fragrance so now I can enjoy it all year round. This fragrance is Limited Edition so I will be needing to head out and get it pretty quickly. I find the original fragrance to be both sexy and pretty at the same time. I smelled the lighter version of this fragrance and it is retains the pretty factor. However, I find that the sexy part of this fragrance is replaced by notes that are considered to be breezy and fresher. This summer fragrance I find to be more appropriate to outside dinners and breezy nights on the town instead of initimate dinners and trendy clubs.

I found a description of this fragrance on the Sephora website. "Sheer Summer by Stella McCartney is a new version of the original Stella fragrance that lets soft summer shadows reflect the delicacy of fresh rose petals. The elegant bottle design mirrors the sophisticated, light-hearted spirit of the scent." Notes are as follows - lemon, green apple, rose, amber.

What do i love most about this fragrance? It allows me to take my favroite fragrance into summertime. I like the green apple note and I feel that it is stronger than the lemon note. One way to think of this fragrance - imagine combining original Stella with DKNY Be Delicious. Mix crisp and florals. However, I did try this fragrance and the lasting power does leave something to be desired. It is much lighter than the original, I think the lack of lasting power might be by design.

And the bottle design? Totally beautiful. This will look fantastic on my dresser.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Most Wanted June 2009

Here is my shopping list for the upcoming month...

- Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Color Quad in Stromboli
- Dolce & Gabbana The Eyeliner in Stromboli
- Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation SPF 30
- Pure Fiji Coconut Milk Shampoo
- Too Faced Brightening Blush in Papa Don't Peach
- Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Nylon Pink
- Benefit Hello Flawless! Custom Powder Cover-Up with SPF 15
- Chanel Precision Eye Definer in Brun Cuivre
- OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath
- Philosophy Apricots and Cream 3-in-1

As of right now, I haven't quite had the chance to sit down and go through the whole Dolce & Gabbana collection on the Saks website but I want to very soon. Every piece that I am seeing from it so far is topping my Most Wanted lists so I can't wait to see the whole collection!