Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil

Everytime that I write about Urban Decay collections, I always wax poetic about the 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils. However, it took me until I was writing about their new summer collection for me to realize that I have never written about them and about all the shades that they are available in. So it is time that they get their own write up. It is rare that I use the same eye makeup product more than one a week so when I use these two or three days in a row, I know that I have found a hit product.

The Urban Decay website states the following about the product itself. "The best Eye Pencil ever, ever, ever! Never before has a pencil this creamy and brillant been waterproof, too. Velvety soft, this never-before-seen formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. Line eyes with a hint of color or go for the full artistic, multi-hued effect with the wide selection of lush, tropical hues, deep metallics, and unusually vibrant neutrals. Incredible with Urban Decay Eye Shadows! Created with 50% moisturizing ingredients suspended in a sophisticated waterproof formula, 24/7 Eye Pencils offer long-lasting color and a dreamy, creamy feel when applied. With Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Cottonseed Oil".

This liner is available in a wide range of shades, with the best-selling and award-winning black shade, Zero. I have currently have three of their shades in my collection; Baked, Dime, and Honey. Honey is my favorite which is why I am so unhappy that it is no longer available. This was the perfect gold for me but i see that with the summer collection, a new gold shade was introduced and I will be buying it when I run through my current pencil of Honey.

Let's see our shade choices...

- 1999 - plum with teeny gold glitter

- Baked - bold bronze

- Binge - navy blue

- Bourbon - brown with teeny gold glitter

- Covet - peacock green

- Crash - deep purple with teeny silver glitter

- Deviant - bold blue

- Dime - very metallic silver

- Eldorado - gold

- Electric - bright aquamarine

- Flipside - bright teal

- Graffiti - bright medium green with silver sparkle

- Gunmetal - gunmetal with teeny silver glitter

- Lucky - brilliant deep copper

- Lust - deep purple with subtle silver sparkle

- Mildew - deep green

- Oil Slick - black with teeny silver glitter

- Ransom - bright iridescent purple

- Rockstar - darkest eggplant

- Stash - dark green/gold

- Underground - metallic taupe

- Yeyo - metallic white

- Zero - zealous black

This eye liner is everything that the description states. It never budges after the 30 seconds (I have found that it sets in closer to 20 so you do need to learn to who quick) and lasts all day long. It comes off easily with eye makeup remover and has never irritated my eyes or contacts. The formula is very easy to work with and is super soft on my skin.

Even though I already own three shades of this liner, there are still many more that I want to buy. I want Oil Slick and Zero the most. I also would like to buy Bourbon, Graffiti, Gunmetal, Lucky, Mildew, Rockstar, Stash, and Underground. I guess you can never have too many of a great product. I am hoping that Eldorado is everything that Honey was or else I will very disappointed though...

photo courtesy of Urban Decay

NARS Best of Lips Palette

The other night I somehow pulled off a great first date look...on the of the muggiest days of the year so far. To top it all off, this look took me about ten minutes and came out better than some of the days that I have spent more than twice that amount of time on my look. And my look didn't even come out half as good. One major item that was part of this look was a NARS Lip Gloss. So looking back on it, I want to look at more lip products from NARS so I can pull most easy looks off this summer.

I am starting my search with the NARS palette called Best of Lips. This palette contains their best-selling and highest rated lip products. So I now have six of their top sellers to try out and work with. NARS Lipsticks, Lacquers, and Glosses are top quality so I can't go wrong with any product from this new palette.

Lipstick - A wide range of captivating shades designed to provide the look and style the color dictates . NARS Lipstick is available in three formulas. The Satin finish is a longwearing lipstick with micro-bubbles spheres to continually release lip conditioners which yield creamy, silky color that wears for hours. The Semi-Matte finish is a highly pigmented matte, non drying formula that provides a longwearing, full-bodied, velvety finish. The Sheer finish contains long lasting color pigments that have been suspended in this translucent formula to provide a sheer, natural tint.

Lip Gloss - Serious shine and sexy color in sheer, creamy, and semi-sheer formulas. Extremely wearable and versatile shades, lip gloss may be worn alone or over other lip products for heightened drama. Ultra-shiny and highly pigmented. Convenient wand application. Iconic shades. Ideal alone or over other lip color.

Lip Lacquer - High shine formula with sheer pigments of color for luscious lips day or night. This super-shiny formula can be worn alone or over other lip products. Unique texture prevents color from bleeding. Transparent pigments with sexy shine. Use alone or over other lip color.

The Multiple - The original multi-purpose sticks for eyes, cheeks, lips, and body. Its unique, creamy formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer color for creating shimmering accents, contours, or dynamic highlights. Creates perfect, glowing complexions and is conveniently designed for failproof application.

Here are the shades...

- Copacabana - glistening pearl (The Multiple)

- Chelsea Girls - innocent nude beige with creme finish (Lip Lacquer)

- Dolce Vita - sheer dusty rose (Lip Gloss)

- Orgasm - sheer warm pink with golden shimmer (Lip Gloss)

- Eros - raspberry rose with shimmer (Lip Lacquer)

- Red Lizard - full powered red (Lipstick - Semi-matte)

I can't wait to order this palette from the NARS website! I am already plotting out my beauty options for the next few seasons worth of makeup looks.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo

Since I love Phytocitrus, I decided that I might like their other shampoos just as much. Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo is one of their most famous products so I decided to try and start with this one. This is a favorite of Jean Godfrey June and she has written about this product multiple times in Lucky. So I must admit that she did help to push me to try this shampoo out before some of the other ones from this line.

This shampoo is based toward dry and moderately damaged hair. Sephora places that product in the following category - "A gentle, moisturizing cleanser for dry, medium-to-coarse hair". The Sephora website gives the following details about the product. "Nuture and soften distressed locks with this aromatic, coconut-based shampoo, formulated to cleanse while instantly rehydrating hair with jojoba oil, and a unique concentration of cornflower and mallow extracts (40%)".

This shampoo has four major active ingredients. Jojoba Oil moisturizes and restores the hydrolipidic film of the hair. Wood cellulose helps to retain moisture and detangle the hair. Both cornflower and mallow extracts help to soften the hair and rebuild elasticity. The coconut in the shampoo helps to cleanse the hair without having to use strong detergents to clean the hair. This shampoo has a very thick texture and produces very little foam. This shampoo has a similar texture to the other Phyto shampoos that I have tried so far.

I bought this product at Sephora and when I was there, I expressed the concern that this product has nothing about color treated hair in the description. The sales associate assured me that with the lack of detergents, the product would be color safe. She then proceeded to tell me that when using this product on color treated hair, best results would be obtained by alternating it with the Phytocitrus Shampoo. I want to try this combination out but I have to hit them up again and buy more Phytocitrus Shampoo to try this and see how they work together.

I already own all the matching conditioners to this product and will finish trying them out very soon. I think that I prefer the Phytocitrus since I always color treat my hair but I am willing to try the combination of the two shampoos to preserve my color. This product is a fantastic hydrator and is recommended for those with dry and coarse hair.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Caudalie Instant Foaming Face Cleanser

It's hot, it's humid, and it's going to be even worse tommorrow and over the next few days. Thoughts of creamy skincare products make me want to gag right now since nothing is absorbing fully into my skin. All I want to use is light-as-air products and sunblock. I even have no love for the feeling of my serums on my face. And I love my serums and have to use them to survive. However, I can easily adapt my face cleanser to this weather. Luckily, I have a favorite warm weather face wash from Caudalie that I started using several years ago.

I first received this as a sample from the Caudalie rep but have been purchasing it at Sephora ever since. Sephora defines this product as, "A soap-free liquid cleanser that transforms into an airy foam for a pleasurable, gentle cleansing experience". This description contains two of my favorite words right now: airy and foam.

Sephora goes on with a more detailed description of this product. "A naturally effective blend of grape extracts, sage, and chamomile provide vitamins, purifying benefits, and soothing extracts, removing makeup and impurities while improving overall complexion wellbeing. From the first use, the complexion is immaculate, toned, and radiant. This delightful wash works for all skin types, and is especially tuned to the needs of combination and sensitive skin".

I love this wash, this is one of my favorite Caudalie products of all time. It doesn't irritate or overdry my skin (though I wouldn't really recommend it for drier skin types). It smells faintly floral and the foam is light and fluffy and very easy to fully rinse off. I have found that it gets all of my face makeup off but I don't use it to get my eye makeup off. This product contains the signature Caudalie blend of anti-oxidant ingredients and is very healthy for your skin. This is a great recommendation for a light summer product if you have normal, combination, or oily skin.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tanda Skincare System

Ok ladies the clock is ticking to win a Tanda skincare system! The total value of this prize is over $300 and since it has items that treat both acne and aging, this is product that anyone will get lots of use out of. You have until the end of the day on Sunday to get to the Tanda website (http://www.tandaskincare.com/) to enter and win the "Find the Tanda" contest. This product was very recently featured on the Betty White show "Hot In Cleveland". And since Betty White is the latest craze at this moment, I can bet that this will be a hot seller.

But first, what is the Tanda and why would you want to win it? I some research on the background of the company and that is where we will begin right now. The following is the introduction to the brand from the Sephora website. "Experience a revolution in skincare. Whether you're looking to say buh-bye to fine lines and wrinkles or to banish blemishes, Tanda's dermatologist-recommended, scientifically proven, hand-held system delivers gentle but effective light therapy treatments all in the comfort of your own bathroom - no spa appointment required! Tanda's complete system includes botanically based, light-optimized topicals, which are specially designed to be free of light-reflecting properties that can interfere with the Tanda light therapy treatments. Go on! See your complexion come to light! The look of healthier, more youthful skin is now in the palm of your hand!"

I need to know more about the science behind this product and I want to share it with you all so that you can get the gist of why this is such a great invention. This company works the concept of phototherapy into their line of treatments. Basically, scientific research has proven that different wavelengths of light can help healing effects on a range of skincare issues. In this case, Tanda uses Red LED Light in their anti-aging tools to rejuvenate the skin and soften the appearence of fine lines and wrinkles. The anti-acne device uses the Blue LED Light to kill acne-causing P bacteria. Now I want to look at each product individually... The two starter kits that I have found are the closest in value to the prize so we will look at each of them.

The Regenerate Anti-Aging Starter Kit contains the full device and the products needed to support its use. The Sephora website states that, "The Tanda Regenerate Anti-Aging Starter Kit brings you Tanda Regenerate, a light therapy device combing proven light therapy and botancially-based, light-optimized to provide natural, non-invasive, scientifically proven solutions for common unwanted skin conditions. A 660 nm red light LED treatment helps to repair skin texture, color, and tone while diminishing the appearence of fine lines and wrinkles. Also provided is the Anti-Aging Serum, index matched so it is free of light-reflecting properties that could interfere with the Tanda Skincare System light therapy treatments. It's formulated to help repair skin texture, color, and tone".

The Clear Acne Light Therapy also contains the full device, a cleanser, and a treatment product. Sephora states that, "The Tanda Clear Acne Light Therapy Treatment brings you a dermatologist-recommended, scientifically proven, hand-held device that delivers powerful light therapy treatments - in the comfort of your own home. The device's Blue LED Light produces a targeted 414 nm beam that kills acne-causing P. acnes bacteria, helping to eliminate current imperfections, keep future breakouts at bay, and improve skin texture, color, and tone. Use in conjunction with the Tanda Light-Optimized Cleanser and Anti-Blemish Gel, designed to be free of light-reflecting properties that could interfere with the Tanda Skincare System light therapy treatments. They are tailored to remove makeup and impurities from the skin without overdrying, and to protect and rejuvenate the skin, creating a healthy appearence".

Ladies, I don't know about you but I am currently rushing over the Tanda Skincare website to try and win the Acne kit. I recommend you all do the same.

photo courtesy of Sephora

YSL Summer 2010 Collection

This is my last summer collection of the year. I have been seeing bits and pieces of this collection throughout the season in magazines and it has been featured pretty prominently in Allure. The latest from YSL is a collection of bronzers and bright shades for lips and nails. Neither of these are among my favorite of products so I don't see this collection working out well for me but if you have a warmer skin tone, I could see if being a fantastic collection for you.

YSL describes the collection as "Free and passionate, the Yves Saint Laurent woman plunges into a new adventure of sun, sensual, and exotic. She opens her safari jacket over her tanned skin like an invitation to travel. Born of the elements, her essential and solar beauty is a force of nature".

Let's finish off the summer collections now...

Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder - This bronzing powder provides an instant healthy glow thanks to the incorporation of the new "Sun Radiance" pigments. These special effect pigments capture the light and diffuse a golden reflection in all directions. The complexion is smooth, leaving skin looking refreshed and rested.

- #1 Sand - for pale complexions

- #2 Copper Sand - for medium complexions

- #3 Golden Sand - for deeper complexions

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch - Light, luminosity, radiance. The award winning, must-have, take anywhere instant highlighter that banishes shadows, erases signs of fatigue and leaves your skin looking radiant. Touche Eclat is eight hours of sleep in a pen - the one item no woman can be without. Touche Eclat is ideal at any time of the day over bare skin, under or over foundation, creme, or powder. Use this best-selling pen-brush around the eye area, the hollow of the chin, the contour of the lips, and the sides of the nose. Just slip it in your bag to ensure a brillant glow, anytime, anywhere. Suitable for all skin types.

- 1 Luminous Radiance - for pale skin

- 2 Luminous Ivory - for light skin

- 3 Light Peach - for medium skin

- 4 Luminous Toffee - for deep skin

Fard Lumiere Aquaresistant Water Resistant Cream Eye Shadow - New Fard Lumiere Aquaresistant Water Resistant Cream Eye Shadow is a cream eye shadow in an infinitely lightweight texture, providing a deligthful feeling of freshness when applied. The eyelids are dressed with a long-lasting, luminous, and waterproof veil of color.

- #5 Golden Sands - pale gold

- #19 Riviera Blue - ocean blue

Mascara Aquaresistant Waterproof Mascara - Essential for the summer, this waterproof mascara coats, lengthens, and thickens the lashes while protecting them from the drying effects of salt, chlorine, and sun.

- #7 Blue Lagoon - bright blue

Gloss Pur Pure Lip Gloss - Pure colour and high shine. YSL's newest lip gloss is everything you need to achieve an ultra-sophisticated every-day look. Based on YSL's top selling lip gloss, Golden Gloss, Gloss Pur delivers a sparkle-free beautiful and glossy sheen to the lips. With a fresh mango scent and six must-have shades, you'll want them all.

- #7 Pure Sorbet - pale pink

- #8 Pure Watermelon - bright coral

- #9 Pure Hibiscus - bright fushcia

- #10 Pure Redcurrant - sheer red

La Laque Nail Lacquer - A nail lacquer that is both elegant and practical in its elongated glass bottle. Available in an incredible palette of shades, from the most natural to the brightest, it guarentees reinforced hold, wonderful shine, fast-drying, and protected nails.

- #42 Ultra Violet - bright purple

- # #142 Ultra Orange - bright orange

Mehhh... Not my favotie collection of the season. As I thought earlier, this is not a collection for me even though I like many of the shades on someone else. For myself, I only want four items. The item that I want the most is the Golden Sands shade of the eye shadow. I also really like the Ultra Violet nail polish and the lip glosses in both the Pure Sorbet and Pure Redcurrant shades.

Time to begin looking forward to fall...

photo courtesy of YSL

Five Favorite - Lippmann Collection Nail Polishes

Lippmann Collection is hands down my favorite nail polishes and the line that I recommend to anyone searching for great colors or treatment products. So I feel that it is only fitting that I share my five favorite shades from the line and hopefully inspire some new lemmings for this collection.

Just Walk Away Renee - This shade was created with Renee Zellweger and is my favorite shade of the whole collection. This is listed as one of the top sellers on the website and for very good reason. This shade never fails to get me a bunch of compliments whether I use it on my hands or my toes. This shade is described by Lippmann as being a berry black cherry and has a cream finish.

Wicked Game - I was sent a bottle of this shade from a PR company and was so excited that I immediately cleaned off my old manicure and tried this one out. This shade is named after the classic song and this is also a song that Deborah covers on her second jazz album. This shade is also listed as a top seller and has been that way ever since it came out last holiday season. This shade is a swirling lavender gray with an iridescent finish. This shade could also be described as a duochrome since it is dark lavender in some lights, gray in others.

Tiny Dancer - This is my favorite song of all time so it is fitting that it makes my favorites list. What also helps is that the shade is a sweet spot pink with the sheer finish that I love so much when I go to do manicures that have to last for a week. This is a great basic shade that will complement every skin tone and work well on everyone.

Baby Love - I think this shade is named after a song but nothing is jumping out at me at the moment. Regardless, this is another shade like Tiny Dancer that I use all the time for simple, pretty manicures. This shade is described as baby doll pink and it is also a sheer shade. It is quite close to Tiny Dancer so unless you are as obsessed with pale pink polishes as I am, you don't really need to own both.

Purple Rain - This shade was created in spring of 2009 with Zac Posen and was another instant sell out. In fact this shade was sold out for weeks everywhere that I looked then somehow I found a bottle of it buried in a container when I was digging for other Lippmann shades at Bath and Body Works. That find made my day. This is shade that I get so many compliments on, especially from men. This shade is described as Zac's signature twinkling lilac and has a shimmering frost finish.

I hope that I have given you some new reasons to check Lippmann out. The picture is of Wicked Game and it is my current shade obsession. I am already planning my next date pedicure.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Products

Today we are disussing a classic product. The C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Cream is one of the first products that I used when this line was debuted at Bath and Body Works about five years ago. The Lemon cream quickly gained a cult following among users and now the company has come out with an entire line of Lemon body products all related to the original Body Cream. The fragrance is now available in many forms of body products, a perfume, and hand care products. My favorite are the body products, so we are going to start there. I have a stock pile of the Body Cream that I bought when I worked there. I was just recently provided with PR samples of the Body Cleanser and the Body Lotion and I am happy to report that they both live up the high standard of the Cream.

Lemon Body Cream - This recipe has been a favorite in our apothecary since 1870. Our time-honored formula is the ultimate in intensive moisture care for very dry skin. We combine nourishing and skin-brightening lemon extracts (super charged with vitamin C), ultra-moisturizing shea butter and replenishing kukui nut oil (rich in essential fatty acids) to create the ultimate body cream. A little of this rich, non-greasy super cream goes a long way. Skin will be renewed and supple all day long. Fragrance free. Contains active levels of therapeutic apothecary ingredients. Contains no artifical colorants and not tested on animals. An Original Formulary developed by Bigelow Chemists.

Lemon Body Lotion - This ultras-moisturizing and skin-brightening formula is fortified with nourishing Shea Butter, lemon extracts (super charged with vitamin C), and replenishing Kukui Nut Oil for soft and supple skin. A clean, juicy lemon fragrance. Leaves skin feeling soft and replenished. Silky, lightweight texture. An Original Formulary developed by Bigelow chemists. Not tested on animals.

Lemon Body Cleanser - This refreshing lemon formula is the ultimate body cleanser for healthy, touchable skin every day. Rich, creamy lather maintains your skin's moisture balance as the fragrance of fresh citrus fills your shower and lightly scents your skin. A clean, juicy lemon fragrance. Helps maintain perfect moisture balance. Provides a rich, creamy lather while gently cleansing skin. Developed by Bigelow chemists. Not tested on animals.
Lemon Cream Body Wash - Our skin-moisturizing and super-lathering formula combines excellent cleansing with ultra-moisturizing ingredients to create the ultimate creamy body wash. This extraordinary cleanser, loaded with skin-brightening lemon extracts (super-charged with Vitamin C) and hydrating safflower oil moisturizes skin, leaving it feeling renewed, soft and supple. Ultra-moisturizing and skin-brightening formula. Soap-free. No added fragrance. Contains active levels of therapeutic apothecary ingredients. Contains no artifical colorants and not tested on animals

Lemon Eau de Parfum - This freshly scented Eau de Parfum is inspired by our most-loved, favorite original formulary, Lemon Body Cream. The pure, sparkling Lemon fragrance blends effervescent citrus notes with green lemon leaves and sensual, creamy undertones of warm, white musk. If you love C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Cream, you'll love this sparkling Eau de Parfum. Not tested on animals.

Lemon Hand Wash - Our ultra-rich lathering formula combines excellent cleansing with ingredients that moisturize to create the ultimate hand wash. This extraordinary cleanser, loaded with skin-brightening and nourishing lemon oil and extracts (super-charged with vitamin C), cares for hands, keeping them feeling renewed, soft and supple. No added fragrance. Contains active levels of apothecary ingredients. Contains no artifical colorants and not tested on animals. Developed by Bigelow chemists.

Lemon Hand Treatment - This skin smoothing, lightweight lotion absorbs quickly while effectively protecting the hands. Our special recipe is made in the same tradition as our Lemon Body Cream, with nourishing and brightening Lemon Extracts. No added fragrance. Contains active levels of therapeutic apothecary ingredients. Not tested on animals and contains no artificial colorants. Developed by Bigelow chemists.

The only products out of this collection that I haven't owned at some time are the Cream Wash and the Eau de Parfum. I love the regular wash in this collection and prefer clear washes since I feel that they rinse cleaner. I love the cream for the winter and the lotion for the summer. The cream is made for very dry skin and the lotion for normal skin. The cream is my overall favorite product, it has the texture of butter and is a great hydrator. The hand cream is one of the only products that I wouldn't repurchase from this collection. I felt that it was too thin to hydrate my hands well enough and since the natural lemon extracts made skin more sensitive to sumlight, I wouldn't want to be pulling this out of my bag to apply in the daylight. For that reason, I prefer the creams at night instead of during the day. The Eau de Parfum was too citrus for my taste and didn't last long on me at all. However, C.O. Bigelow has a Lemon Pomegranate body spray and is still fruity and much sweeter. The PR company sent me a sample of this and it perfect for casual summer days. In fact, I am wearing it right now...

photo of C.O. Bigelow

Bobbi Brown Summer 2010 Collection - Beach Club

Bobbi Brown's newest collection is another beach oriented collection. Considering how good of luck I had this summer so far with To The Beach, I am very happy to see another collection that could be quite similar in products and shades. I have read that this collection is considered to be more sophisticated and easier to wear than some of the products in To The Beach. Which I am super pumped about since those are the shades that I didn't purchase from the collection. The Bobbi Brown website describes the collection, "Shy about shimmer? Give us 5 minutes. We'll make you glow." Every product in the promo picture has a shimmer finish so I feel that this collection might be better in pieces and not worn all at the same time.

Let's find out...

Beach Shimmer Brick - Bobbi's NEW Beach Shimmer Brick Compact is hand-made in Italy and features five bars of warm, pearlized shimmer to create a beautiful seaside glow. Run the Face Blender Brush across all five shades and lightly dust over cheeks and forehead. Or wear just one shade on your eyes for subtle glimmer.

Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow - Luxe metallics for eyes. Our award-winning formula - infused with sparkle. For a sheer effect, blend on lids with your fingers. For a more dramatic look, add another layer. Or wear on top of your favorite matte cream shadow for soft shimmer. Stays color-true and crease-free all day. Inspired by the beach, our latest Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow comes in glistening pastels from ocean blue to oyster pink. Available in 4 new shades.

- Moonstone - pale shimmering green

- Opal - opalescent pink

- Pink Oyster - shimmering pink

- Surf - pale shimmering blue

Long-Wear Cream Shadow - Velvety-smooth formula that goes on easily - and lasts all day without creasing or smudging. Fragrance free. Safe for contact lens wearers. Ophthamologist tested. Introducing Shore, a soft matte beige perfect for a look that's just one notch up from natural. To apply: For a polished, professional look, apply on clean lids with the Cream Shadow Brush. Using short, sweeping brush strokes layer color on lids for desired effect. For a more sheer effect, use fingertips to blend.

- Shore - soft matte beige

Cream Shadow Brush - The Cream Shadow Brush is the ideal tool for applying Bobbi's award-winning Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow and Long-Wear Cream Shadow formulas. Features a brush head designed to pick up and perfectly apply this shadow.

Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 - "You get the best of both worlds with Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15. It gives you beautiful color and actually improves the condition of your lips. It's a truly modern formula - Bobbi Brown. Lightweight, soft shine lipstick that doubles as a rejuvenating moisture treatment. It instantly comforts dry, chapped lips and provides long-term moisturization with natural Cocoa and Shea Butters, Jojoba, Apricot Kernal and Avocado oils. Peptides, along with Vitamin C stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while SPF 15 helps prevent future sun damage.

- Clear - clear

beach Fragrance - If one scent could capture the atmosphere and attitude of summer, this best-selling fragrance is it. Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin, this eau de parfum is wearable anytime, anywhere. Comes in spray bottle for light application.

beach Body Oil - A unique, moisturizing body oil that gives skin a sultry sheen as it scents with beach fragrance. Contains four essential oils (Olive, Sesame, Avocado, and Jojoba) and Vitamins E and C to soften and nourish skin

Very pretty! The shimmer in this collection is more subtle than I originally thought so this is very easy collection to pull off. A big help is that the Lip Treatment for this collection is a clear shade so the wearer will not be full on shimmer. I would like to get a bottle of the beach fragrance, but since this is rather late in the season for me to buy warm weather items, I will remember it for next spring. I will pass on the Shimmer Brick since the warm tones will not allow me to use it all over my face. I like several of the new eye makeup shades. I want to get the Metallic Long-wear Pink Oyster and the Long-wear in Shore. I am also curious about the Cream Shadow Brush, I have always used my fingers for application and I wonder what type of finish and coverage is created with the use of the brush.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Another Sneaky Way to Slip Dad Some Grooming - C.O. Bigelow

This is second article dealing with a way that I could slip my father some beauty products without it being super evident. Hopefully I can get an image up in this one, I have no idea what my computer is doing but it refuses to upload images. I am going to try again in several minutes. This time, we are going to look at a product from C.O. Bigelow, another line at Bath and Body Works that has always carried men's products. These were consistent sellers in my store so I am glad that the line is being expanded to include even more items.

The item that I would get for my dad would be the Shave Foam made exclusively from by Proraso for C.O. Bigelow. C.O. Bigelow describes this product as following, "A time-honored recipe for luxurious lather, C.O. Bigelow and Italian shaving experts have collaborated once again to create Premium Shave Foam for those who prefer the rich creamy lather of foam over traditional shaving cream. Drawing on a beloved formulation that has been an Italian grooming essential since its creation over 80 years ago, C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Foam, contains Eucalyptus and Menthol providing a light fragrance and cooling sensation."

C.O. Bigelow product creator Ian Ginsberg added this statement to the product's description, "Italian barbers have long relied on these shaving formulations for the luxurious lather they create and the close, comfortable shave they provide. We worked to develop a thick, foaming version of our favorite cream formula exclusively for C.O. Bigelow - a lightweight alternative to the original cream. The result is an invigorating, luxurious shaving foam that turns a mundane daily task into an enjoyable pleasure."

This product is listed as one of C.O. Bigelow's "Around the World Apothecary Picks" in that it instantly softens the beard and moisturizes the skin for close and comfortable shave. There are three key ingredients included in this product. The first is glycerin which provides an ultra-smooth glide. The second in menthol which delivers a cooling, tingling sensation on the skin while shaving. The last one is eucalyptus oil which acts as an antiseptic and provides an invigorating aroma. This product was developed for normal skin and can be applied directly with the fingers or lathered with a shaving brush.

This is a really, really easy way to get my dad grooming products. He always has to shave so this is a no brainer gift for him. Making a mundane everyday chore five minutes of fun? That's one of the best gifts ever.

And...pictures are finally working!

photo courtesy of C.O. Bigelow

Give Dad the Gift of Grooming on Father's Day - Bath and Body Works

Father's Day is today and it's the day to honor the number one man in your life. Mine is one of the outdoors type so he wouldn't really love a gift that deals only with grooming. For example, I would a confused look if he unwrapped a bottle of Chanel men's cologne. So if I ever want to get him any types of grooming products, I have to be much more subtle about it. The easiest way to pull this off is it to slip a simple, man friendly product in the box with his L.L. Bean down vest. Luckily, companies are catching on the fact that male grooming is not only for the metrosexual man and they are giving us little ways to make a big difference.

Bath and Body Works has just recently released a new Signature Collection Men's line. When I worked there, men's products were high in demand and many people were very unhappy when the collection gradually became less and less available. However, the company has remedied this and I predict this new collection will be a smash hit among both genders. Bath and Body Works give the following as the general description of the new line of products, "Bath and Body Works introduces Signature Collection for Men, high-performance personal care products that will revolutionize the way men wear fragrance."

"Signature Collection for Men allows men to choose a scent for every occasion, every moment, and every day. Whether he's in the boardroom or riding a wave on his board; catching the game with friends or playing catch with his kids, this collection is designed to suit his lifestyle and give him the daily dose of personal luxury that he deserves. Infused into daily grooming essentials like body wash, deodorizing body spray and cologe, each bold new fragrance evokes a unique mood, from classic to cool, fresh to sexy, rugged to renaissance."

The four available fragrances are...

Citron - A modern citrus scent with notes of lemon zest and brisk woods, this fragrance captures the classic and seductive confidence of a man.

Noir - A combination of black cardamom and white musk makes a sophisticated and exotic scent for the modern man.

Ocean - A light, airy scent that complements an active lifestyle, this fragrance is blended with cypress, vetiver, and yuzu zest.

Oak - Embodying the rugged appeal of the adventurer, this scent balances cedarwood, musk, and bergamot for a modern twist on the classic woods fragrance.

This collection is currently available in three products...

Body Wash - Formulated with moisturizing Aloe Vera and nourishing Vitamin E, this energizing body wash is a bracing way to start the day.

Cologne - Bold, rugged, and masculine, the new Signature Collection Colognes gives each man an unforgettable signature scent.

Deodorizing Body Spray - Stay fresh all day with this all-over body spray, developed to provide deodorizing protection and long-lasting fragrance.

For my father, I would pick the Body Washes in the Ocean and Oak fragrances. I smelled these the other week at the store and my two favorites are the Citron and the Ocean. I think that both of those two fragrance are more subtle and I would use them in the washes.

MAC Penultimate Eye Liner

It now seems that I cannot even go within the vicinity of a MAC counter without making a purchase of several items. In fact, if this trend continues, I may have to boycott the mall in order to save my checking account balance. My last haul was one that included several impulse items, I went to the counter to purchase only one product and ending up walking away with a bag full of items. The one item that I went to purchase (and the first one that I grabbed when I got to the counter) is the one that we are going to talk about today. I already own the Eye Kohl and tried to use it the other week to make a strong cat eye. However, that liner is better for smudging and making smoky eyes so the effect was not quite what I desired. I knew that I needed a different product to create a cat eye and decided to try out a liquid eye liner.

I have never used a liquid eye liner with good results. Back when I used to have full access to the makeup counters at Bath and Body Works, I would try in vain to get a good line but would always end up with a jagged disaster. So my primary concern with trying a liquid eye liner was ease of use. I had read about Penultimate when it was featured in MAC collections and wanted to try it out. It looks just like a skinny marker and it appeared to be the most dummy proof looking liner that I had laid eyes on.

The MAC website provides the following as a description of the product, "A liquid pen-style liner that provides the ultimate precise, bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade. Goes on fluidly, in one steady stroke, to style any fashion of eye line". This product is available in one shade called Rapidblack which is described as a true black.

This product is very easy to use even for someone not used to working with a liquid liner. If you can draw a line, you can get this liner to work for you. I steady my had by resting it on my cheekbone during application and so far have had no problems. I start my pulling my eyelid, making a line from the inside to the middle then another one from the middle to the outer corner. I found that the color is best when I go over the line at least twice, if I only do the first application, it appears more a deep gray then a black. I also have found that I need a second coat to get in closer to my lashes but this might change as I get better as using the product.

The lasting power of liquid eye liners is always better than pencil liners. Once this product dries, it will be on for the rest of the day until I remove it. I have no trouble removing it with eye makeup remover but I feel that it wouldn't come off fully with just soap and water.

I really love the eye liner and my only wish is that it came in more colors. At the moment, I am wishing for a bronze, a gold, a silver, a deep olive, and a deep plum. Hopefully MAC will include new shades of the this product in some of their limited edition collections.

photo courtesy of MAC

O.P.I. Summer 2010 Collection - Summer Flutter

In addition to the summery feeling collection created for the new Shrek movie, O.P.I. has also created a very pretty new collection of shades inspired by butterflies and nature. This collection is named Summer Flutter and consists of four bright summery shades of polish. Just from viewing the promo picture, I feel that this collection is going to sell like crazy. The colors aren't super unique but they are great choices for every woman.

The first shade is named Flower to Flower and this shade is a bright mid tone blue pink. It has a cream finish with no shimmer at all. I predict that this color will go over huge with the bright pink polish trend that has been going on so far this summer. I want this shade and will love it for summer pedicures.

The second shade is more a warmer tone than any of the others. This shade is named Flit a Bit and is a warm toned coral orange. I do not like this shade at all. i think that it is too orange to be attractive. Also, it will not work for my skintone but would be great for those of use with tans or warmer skin tones.

The third shade is another pink toned, though it is deeper than the other and could be considered more of a magenta than a true pink. The name of this shade is Wing It and it appears in the picture to have a slight shimmer to it. I really like this shade also and want to get a bottle of it for both manicures and pedicures.

The last new shade is my favorite. We have been seeing lots of great blues this season and this is no excecption. This shade is named Catch Me In Your Net and is a mid tone blue turquoise with shimmery finish. This is the shade that I want the most and will be going out to get this one soon. I can also this one selling out very quickly.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Victory is Mine!!

Last weekend, I went to my local Macy*s for a MAC visit. I picked out a bunch of items when i saw one lone To The Beach tester at the bottom of the Lipglass fixture. And it was Easy Lounger which has been sold out online since the first few hours of the collection release!

And I got...the last one!!! Pretty, isn't it?

photo courtesy of MAC

Dior Summer 2010 Collection

I'm not really feeling quite summery at the moment, it is pouring rain out and it has taken me all day to get up the motivation to start talking about makeup. Yesterday, I had quite a nice MAC haul including some good pieces from To The Beach so I am pretty much finished with my summer shopping and beginning to think about what might be stylish this fall. So in order to get my summer love back, I decided to look at the beautiful Dior. The Dior website describes this collection as following, "The new makeup collection is inspired by the colors of John Galliano's fashion shows and the energy of Dior Addict Ultra Gloss. It highlights must-have products with irresistable, glowing, and instant radiance. From the star product, 'Addicted to Dior', to limited editions for the lips and eyes, this vibrant and tangy array ensures a splendid beauty makeup. A revelation for beauty addicts and diehard Dior fans. Spotlight on these essentials to wear all summer long..."

Let's check it out...

1 Couleur Ultra Smooth High Impact Eye Shadow - The texture: Enhanced by the latest eye shadow innovations, this revolutionary texture is based on "Micro-Fusion" for ideal coverage on the skin and maximum color impact. It leaves the eyelid visibly smooth and the color true for hours on end. 1 Couleur comes in several variations: matte, satiny to pearly and sparkling. The color: Color expresses itself incomparable intensity. The spirit of the collection lends itself to the mixing and layering of color for effects that rival those of fashion shows.

- Golden Spotlight - pale shimmery gold

5 Couleur Irisdescent Eye Shadow - Your eyes have never beheld such brillance. Shimmering palettes created with Dior's phenomenal new Wet Reflect technology. Ultra-reflective. Ultra-luminous. Ultra-incredible. Five metallic-rich shades in each palette. Silky smooth and weightless. So blendable, the colors virutally fuse with the skin for looks that defy creasing, smudging, or fading.

- Earth Reflection - shades of golds and neutrals

'Addicted to Dior' Lip Gloss Luggage Tag - The star of the summer collection, the Addicted to Dior lip gloss luggage tag, is stamped with Dior's Paris address and rhinestone accents. Insides is a duo of warm bronze and juicy pink lip gloss shades so you can get a kiss of color wherever you go.

Smoothing Lacquer Lip Polish - Dior Addict Lip Polish a true revolution in gloss! An exclusive spinning applicator mimics makeup artist application, rolling over the lips like a primer and a gloss in one! This spinning action uniformly spreads and smoothes the gloss, delivering fresh, long-lasting, layered brillance to the lips.

- Fresh Expert 002 - pink

- Radiance Expert 001 - nude

- Glow Expert 003 - coral

This seems like a quite a small collection from Dior but every single product in it is a winner! I love the 'Addicted to Dior' lip gloss set! This will add to my collection of cute little Dior items. I also love the new 5 Couleur and the 1 Couleur. I also want to get the Smoothing Lacquer Lip Polish in both the Fresh Expert 002 and the Radiance Expert 001. I guess that I am ready to get back into the grove of summer...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Philosophy The Beach Girl

Philosophy's latest collection for summer has gotten me quite excited. They have brought out the Beach, a series of body and lip products that are perfect for unlocking your inner beach bum. I have loved the shore and anything associated with it ever since I was a young child so my interest is always piqued when the word "beach" is in any beauty product title.

The collection description from the Sephora website is right here, "Get so close to the beach that you can almost taste the sun and sand. Philosophy's summery new collection gets your senses as close to the beach as possible, thanks to an orange-crush-slush fragrance that's sweet, light, and delightfully energizing. The high-shine lip gloss; hydrating body lotion; and signature 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath make you feel like life's a beach, every day".

This fragrance is available in the individual products and also a giftset that features smaller versions of all three items. We are going to look at the giftset since the description will cover all three items. "Inspired by hot summer days on the beach and strolling along the boardwalk, Beach Girl is a refreshing pick-me-up that will make you smile. This set is designed to leave skin feeling super clean and soft and lips looking glossy and beautiful. The orange crush slush scent is so delightful, refreshing, and energizing, you will be reminded of summer days packed with sun, sand, and play."

The 3-in-1 and lip gloss formulas are the same as they have always been I decided to only check out the body lotion description. I have still never used one of their body lotions, I wish they came out in more scents. I was very happy with the body butter that I got from Philosophy several years ago so I hope that their lotions are of the same quality. "The beach is never far from reach with Beach Girl Body Lotion. The delightful scent of orange crush slush is energizing, like a summer day packed with sun, sand, and play. This ultra-rich body lotion is formulated with nourishing shea butter and natural olive and macademia nut oils to help soften skin and aid in moisture retention. Antioxidants soothe and protect the skin against environmental damage. Beach Girl melts easily into a skin for a non-greasy feel and leaves a light, citrus scent for a refreshing skin pick-me-up." I want more lotions from this company.

I smelled this fragrance a couple weeks ago in Sephora and I liked it. Not loved it, just liked it. It is a light, sweet orange soda scent and it is one of the ones that I like enough to purchase but I wouldn't use it all the time. For myself, the giftset would be perfect. The sizes are small enough that if I didn't use them all the time, then they won't live in my shower for months. Now, Philosophy has also introduced a new 3-in-1 fragrance called Pineapple Coconut and I love this one. This one is just the most perfect mixture of the two fragrances and this is the perfect fragrance for the summer. Now this product I could see myself using every single day and will purchase the largest size of 3-in-1 available. I also want to get the matching lip gloss in this fragrance

I wish Pineapple Coconut came in an entire line of bath and body products...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Chanel Summer 2010 Collection - Les Pop-Up de Chanel

The newest collection from Chanel is quite different than their previous collection released for spring. The spring collection was all about wearable makeup and looking natural yet beautiful everyday. The new collection for summer is about bright fun makeup but these colors have a very definite time and place that they are appropriate to wear. Namely, not the office. However, this collection may be less versatile but is no less beautiful. The Nordstrom website states that, "The standout shades of the season: pops of neon bright lip and nail colour, luminous bronzing powders and more".

Let's check it out...

Soleil Tan de Chanel - Gently illuminating bronzing powder in the form of wave-swept sands. Innovative, oil-free formula delivers a naturally gorgeous bronze glow that never look dull or flat.

- Terre Epice - light bronze

- Terre Ambre - amber bronze

- Terre d'Or - golden bronze

- Terre Halee - deep bronze

Soleil Tan de Chanel - Sheer, weightless liquid instantly brightens skin and evens out skin tone. Light-reflecting pigments provide radiance and luminosity. Botanical extracts soften, smooth, and moisturize. Oil free. Fragrance free.

- Sunkissed - medium bronze

Rouge Allure - It combines fabulously wearable, lustrous colour and sensational comfort and is subtly etched with the world-renowned Chanel logo.

- Genial - rich coral

- Darling - light blue pink

- Super - bright pink

Aqualumiere - A brillant pop of sheer colour and ultra-creamy texture provide an immediate sensation of softness and comfort. Lips are throughly hydrated with a nourishing, soothing, and fortifying action.

- Bondi - sheer warm peach

Aqualumiere Gloss - Brush on the exquisite, water-light look of this new ingenious gloss and discover perfect comfort in a sheer wash of colour.

- Bondi Beach - rose gold

Gloss Fluo de Chanel - With its hot colour and high-wattage shine, the electric effect of this bright, sheer, light lip gloss is perfect for going from the beach to a night out.

- Laser - bright fushcia

- Pop - bright coral

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

- Bikini Pink - light pink

Inimitable - Now, in a single stroke, Chanel sets a new standard in mascara with a formula that does it all. A sophisticated formula and unique brush design combine to lengthen, plump, and curl, delivering lush, long-wearing colour so precisely that each lash, even the finest, is perfectly defined and separated.

- Noir - black

Les 4 Ombres de Chanel - Shade combinations ranging from matte to frost to satin for multiple looks, contrasting or complementary. Apply dry for subtle shadowing. Slightly moistened applicator gives a more intense shade. Organic polymer derivatives ensure smudge-proof long wear, particularly in high temperature or humidity. Dermatologist tested.

- Demure - pinks, peaches, and browns

Le Vernis - Brillance to your fingertips with must-have colours from the runways of Paris. State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails. Unique patented non-spill bottle with wiping action for easy application.

- Mistral - sweet candy pink

- Riveria - intense rose

- Nouvelle Vague - bright ocean blue

I really like this collection much more than I thought that I would after looking at the promo picture. Most of the bright aren't for me but I found several items in this collection that I would love to purchase. First of all, I want all three of the new nail polish shades. From the new lip shades, I would like to get the Bikini Pink gloss and the Rouge Allure in Darling. I love the new Les 4 Ombres in the Demure shade, this will be perfect for me. I will also try out one of the bronzers and see how the lightest shade looks on my skin.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Shade to Order Sunless Tanner

My latest sunless tanning product is a break from my usual Lancaster or St. Tropez products. I was sent this Bath and Body Works tanner from a PR company and I admit I was a bit nervous to try it out. My usual tanners are foam and tinted. This one is not so had this product not been sent to me, I might never have tried it out and broadened my beauty horizons. The product that I am referring to is the True Blue Spa Shade to Order Select-a-Shade Gradual Tanning Lotion. This is the first tanning product I have used that is gradual, not tinted, and a lotion. So I did need some practice to master this one.

The Bath and Body Works websites gives the following description to describe the product. "Isn't it comforting to know that you're only one shade away from the perfect sun-kissed color? By choosing your desired shade and simply adjusting the setting on the dual chamber, you can customize the intensity of your sunless gradual tan while you lavish your skin with nourishing, oil-free moisture". The product has seven settings, setting 1 is all self tanning lotion and setting 7 is all body lotion. I have found that setting 4 or setting 3 works very well to create a gradual tan for my skintone.

The Bath and Body Works website lists the advantages of some of the active ingredients in this product. They state that glycerin helps the skin retain moisture. The aloe vera in the product soothes and smoothes the skin. Vitamin E moisturizes, conditions, and helps to protect the skin during application and later. Also, this product does not have the traditional sunless tanner chemical fragrance that I am used to. The fragrance of this tanner is a coconut orange flower mix and is much more pleasant than the chemical scent of both the previous tanners that I have used.

So what do I think of this product? I have both likes and dislikes of it. I love the fragrance and I do enjoy the gradual part of this product. After about two applications, I look as though I spent a day at the beach, instead of a week in Rio. For someone with paler skin, this helps to create a more natural look and not a huge transformation overnight. I really wish that this product was tinted, it would be much more helpful in application. The overall application was actually much easier than I thought that it would be. The hardest parts for me to get even are the typical areas: feet, knees, and elbows. The use of a lotion instead of a foam really helps to keep my skin hydrated and it doesn't itch as badly as it usually does when I use the foams.

If this product was tinted, this would be an amazing product because it has some other great attributes. Bath and Body Works has come quite a long way since I first used their tanners when I was in college...I look natural and not orange!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

OPI Shrek Forever After Collection

As I wrote a few weeks ago on the Sex and the City movie tie in fragrance, now we have another beauty collection tie in to check out. The third Shrek movie came out over the summer and now OPI has a new collection of shades based on this film. I have never seen any of the previous movies so I don't plan on seeing this one but I do plan on seeing what bright new shades are being released in conjunction. There are six shades in total, one dark, two pale, and three bright.

The first shade is named Funky Dunkey and this one is a deep blue purple cream. This shade is pretty but is it rather generic and could be very easily dupable. I like this one but this isn't unique enough for me to purchase and if I did, I don't that I would use it more than half a dozen times at most.

The second and third shades are the paler shades and these are my two favorite of the new collection. I would like to buy both of these shades and can see myself getting a decnet amount of use out of both. the first of the two shades in named What's With the Cattitude? and is a pale robin egg blue cream shade. I love this one and I think this is my favorite of all the shades. The second pale shade is named Rumple's Wiggin. This shade is a pale pink lavender cream and even though it looks like a bunch of shades that I currently own, I will buy it and use it a lot.

The last few shades of the collection are the bright shades and I think that these will be the best selling shades of the collection. The first bright shade is named Who the Shrek Are You?. This shade is a bright yellow green cream. I doubt this shade will be flattering on me but I can see it being a hit for pedicures and working well against tanned skin with more golden undertones. The second bright shade is named Ogre-the-Top Blue and this is my favorite of the bright shades. This one is a bright ocean blue cream, I love this shade. This one will be great for pedicures for this summer especially against white or silver sandals. The last new shade of the collection is named Fiercly Fiona and is a bright yellow. I don't like this shade at all and it would look awful on me.

I want three new shades from this collection. I want both of the pale shades, What's With the Cattitude? and Rumple's Wiggin. I want one of the bright shades, only the Orge-the-Top Blue. Not my favorite collection ever but it still produced a couple of items for me to check out.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Shu Uemura Summer 2010 Collection - Gem Glam

The summer collection from Shu Uemura was only released online (to my knowledge - if anyone knows any different, please comment and correct me). Shu Uemura will be pulled from all United States counters in July of this year, a very sad occurence since this company contains some of the highest quality makeup items available today and the highest quality eye shadows that can be purchased. This company will still have all the items available on their website for purchase so they should still be releasing new collections and I will still be coveting many of their items.

The collection for summer is named Gem Glam and this is the description from Shu Uemura, "Indulge in the dazzling brillance and alluring colors of precious gems. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, amethysts... Let your flawless, crystalline summer beauty sparkle. Flawless complexion glows with absolute clarity and dimension. Eyes with piercing colors reflect and dazzle. Lips shine like polished gems". I am really looking forward to this collection.

Let's check it out!

Gem Glam Pressed Eye Shadow - Discover the brand-new, limited edition glitter pressed eye shadow in our Gem Glam collection. Collection also features a pearlescent blue-green perfect for spring/summer.

- P 450 - pearl pastel sea green

- G silver - sparkling silver

- G gold - sparkling gold

- G rainbow - sparkling pink tone white

Gem Glam Cream Eye Shadow - Our soft-blend, waterproof cream eye shadow formula is now available in 3 limited-edition pearl shades for the Gem Glam collection. This 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 cream eye shadow shade.

- P pearl ivory - pale white

- P pearl light purple - pale lilac

- P pearl light pink - pale pink

Gem Glam Flawless Glow Powder - A gorgeous multi-color face duo for the perfect complexion. Achieve a flawless, glowing, multi-dimensional finish. Suitable for all skin tones, the fine powder minimizes the look of pores and evens skin tone. Upper set highlights the luminous transparency of the skin while the lower set enhances the natural contours of the face. Set in a luxurious compact inspired by the brillance of gemstones. Use the upper section as a highlighter and the lower section for contouring. Alternatively, swirl your brush across both sections for an overall healthy, luminous glow.

Gem Glam Vinyl Unlimited - Two limited-edition full coverage full coveage lip glosses for the Shu Uemura Gem Glam collection. Fresh colors with dramatic gem-shine to complete a glamorous summer look. Vibrant shades and vivid colors with an extreme lacquer-sheen finish.

- Pk 327 - soft pink

- Or 521 - coral pink

I love this collection! I think that the Gem Glam Pressed Eye Shadows are my favorite product of the season so far. I must get all four shades, but especially the gold and silver shades. I also want the Gem Glam Cream Eye Shadow, also in all three shades. The Flawless Glow Powder is beautiful and I must get this one too. From the new lip glosses, I want the pink shade but not the coral shade. I wish this collection would be much easier to get my hands on...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Guerlain Summer 2010 Collection - Meteorites

The promo picture for this collection from Guerlain is one fo the prettiest that I have seen so far this summer. The model looks luminous and her skin appears to be "lit from within". Very fitting, since the collection is called Meteorites and brings to mind images of ethereal beauty and glowing skin. The Nordstrom website describes this collection as, "Spring into Summer... As a tribute to absolute radiance, Guerlain's Summer Collection celebrates the new Meteorites Pearls, the secret behind smooth and luminous skin".

Let's check this collection out...

Ombre Eclat 1 Shade Single Eye Shadow - Ombre Eclat 1 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 impeccable finish. Available in many different shades to collect and mathc according to your mood.

- L' Instant d'un Baiser - pale beige

- L' Instant d'un Reve - mid tone brown

- L' Instant d'un Caresse - light gold

- L' Instant d'un Emotion - deep forest green

Meteorites Summer Collection Eye Shadow Palette - This monochromatic palette features four shades of natural hues with a subtle touch of iridescence for a soft, pearly effect. With tones ranging from soft beige and satiny pink to taupe and smoky brown, these eye shadows glide over and blend beautifully into the skin, adding a velvety-soft luminosity to the eyes. A white rosette, the symbol of Meteorites, is stamped on the palette and can be used as a fifth light-enhancing shade.

Meteorites Pearls - Inspired by light and created by Guerlain, Meteorites Pearls employ the technology of white light, which is used in photography and film to erase imperfections and soften features. A constellation of six multicolored pearls blends together for a flawless, radiant complexion. These pearls with a purpose have now been reinvented in three color harmonies adapted to each skin tone.

- Teint Beige 02 - neutral

- Teint Dore 03 - warm

- Teint Rose 01 - cool

Le 2 Volume Mascara - Following the success of Le 2 Mascara, Guerlain introduces a new weapon of seduction: Le 2 Volume. This double-brush tool is increasing its wealth of talents: Brush 1 boosts volume and curl for high-drama lashes, while revolutionary brush two strengthens curl and intensifies color with a deep black lacquer.

- 11 Noir 2 Lacque - black

- 31 Brun 2 Lacque - brown

Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator - Guerlain's new Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator hides all imperfections and awakens the skin's youthfulness in a single click of its magic wand brush. This must-have makeup tool employs an exclusive double-sided Gold Radiance Pigment: The opaque side targets imperfections and dull zones, toning down the appearance of wrinkles, dilated pores, and pigment irregularities, while the golden side reflects light. Combined with a blend of mrryh oil, known for its regenerating properties, and the lifting and smoothing properties of peptides, long-term results include the diminishment of fine lines and smoother, softer skin.

- 00 - porcelain

- 01 - fair

- 02 - medium

Kiss Kiss Baby Lip Balm - A soft and velvety lip balm pampers the lips with its rejuvenating formula and keeps them comfortable after long term usage. Three ingredients combine for complete lip care: Wild mango butter infuses lips with moisture and suppleness, luffa oil nourishes dried out and chapped lips and oligopeptides (proteins and trace elements) increase volume and softness.

- Cherry Summer 262 - neutral red

- Crystal Nude 200 - clear

- Red Nude 220 - sheer deep red

- Rosewood Nude 241 - brown rose

- Coral Sunset 242 - warm coral

- Honey Nude 240 - neutral honey

- Romantic Nude 260 - mauve

- Rosy Nude 261 - mid tone pink

Eye Pencil - Glide on eye color that stays put! Formulated with unusually high pigment content and a creamy gel, these cushiony, silky eye pencils take on unrivaled intensity and depth, and can withstand wind and tide - including extremely hot, humid climates!

- Kohl Me Black 01 - black

- Kohl Me Bronze 07 - bronze

- Kohl Me Blue 03 - navy blue

- Kohl Me Ivory 00 - pale ivory

Normally, I really love Guerlain collections but I am just lukewarm about this one. There are some products that I really adore and some that seem to be nothing special at all. I would like to all four shades of the Eye Shadow as I think that they will work well together and with many of the shades that I already have in my collection. As always, I want the new shadow palette, this is my favorite item of the collection. I need to try this new mascara out and also try the original from this company out too. Other than that, I want the Rosy Nude shade in the Kiss Kiss Baby and I would like to try out the Eye Pencils and see how this company's bronze shade compares to the one that I am currently using from Urban Decay.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose

Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb fragrance is one that seems to be either loved or hated. It is burst of floral notes so it isn't hard to see which group I fall into. A new version of the scent has just been released which I am more excited about than the original, Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose. Yes, it has the magical rose note in it that doesn't follow me to not like it. Also, the bottle is bright pink, putting more points in its favor.

Sephora places this fragrance in the Floral category. The description of the fragrance from their website is as follows, "This limited-edition fragrance has the power to seduce with the same glamorous extravagence as the classic Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum. This sparkling and sophisticated rendition entices you to indulge in the power of a refreshingly crisp sensation. The scent opens with top notes of tangerine, bergamot, tea, and pink pepper. Lily of the Valley, freesia, and Centifolia Rose create the floral heart. A base of amber and patchouli provides a compelling anchor".

The notes of the fragrance are: Tangerine, Bergamot, Tea, Pink Pepper, Lily of the Valley, Freesia, Centifolia Rose, Amber, Patchouli.

In the comments section of the Sephora website, someone noted that this fragrance is lighter than the original Flowerbomb. The original is quite heavy and I would use it in colder temperatures as to not overwhelm those around me. I want to try this fragrance out for myself and determine what season it would be best in. With the Pink Pepper and Amber notes, it still might be too strong for warm weather. However, I am already beginning to decide what fragrances I need to buy for fall, so I can decide what shopping list to put this one on.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Five Favorites - Bath and Body Works Classics

The month of June brings us the Semi-Annual Sales for both Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret. Every year, my favorite part of the Bath and Body Works sale is looking for my favorite old fragrances and stock piling enough of them to get through the next six or seven months. I have gone through my collectionand picked out my five favorite Classic fragrances for everyone to consider before the beginning of the sale.

Pearberry - This was my first fragrance love from Bath and Body Works way back when I was in high school. It was also one of the first purchases that i ever made when I started working there and is still a fragrance that I look for as soon as I walk in during Sale. This fragrance combines pears and strawberries to make a unique, crisp fragrance. I highly recommend this fragrance in the shower gel, but all the forms are worth picking up.

Exotic Coconut - This is one of the best coconut fragrances that I have ever smelled and I was so unhappy when the company pulled it from their regular Signature Collection. This fragrance combines toasted coconut and cream and has one of the best warm coconut fragrances out there. I recommend this fragrance in all the forms but especially the moisturizers.

Cool Citrus Basil - This is another fragrance that I used in high school and will never get old. Fresh and herbal, this fragrance can be used on men or women and is light enough to not offend even the most senstive noses. This fragrance has a heart of basil and several different citrus notes. My favorite product in this fragrance is the shower gel though I also recommend the body lotion for a light summer moisturizer.

Night Blooming Jasmine - This is one of the prettiest fragrance that Bath and Body Works has ever released, I really wish that this fragrance was around in a EDT version. I think that this might be the Bath and Body Works fragrance that I have gotten the most compliments on when I wear it and this one is a constant search for me. This fragrance contains notes of jasmine, freesia, and rain. I recommend this fragrance in any form that you can find it in.

Green Clover and Aloe - This fragrance is another one that falls into the "clean" and "herbal" categories. This fragrance reminds me of many of my favorites from the Demeter collection and can worn by men or women. This fragrance is another good choice for summer in that it is light and non-offensive to all. This fragrance combines notes of grass, aloe, and clover to produce a unique herbel blend. I find that I prefer the shower gel and lotion in this fragrance.

Personally, I am looking forward to a Semi-Annual shopping trip. I didn't get anything at the sale after Christmas so it is time for me to evaluate when I have and what I need to stock up on. Bath and Body Works does have a Classics section on their website where these fragrances can be purchased at full price all year long. During the sale, they are usually much cheaper (spurs me to really stock up) and they are able to be tested out before purchase. Also, I get a thrill from digging through the bins, I love the adventure aspect.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Smashbox Summer 2010 Collection - Naked Beauty

I am noticing a theme with a bunch of the new collections, natural makeup and neutral shades are quite popular. I don't know if it could be due to lagging sales in past collections but it feels to me like many companies are playing it pretty safe right now and releasing shades that fit any female's lifestyle and could be worn to work or out at night. I don't that that I consider this a bad idea but I do feel that at some point, you own enough of the same neutral shades and won't purchase more of what you already own. Prove me wrong?

I think that the look created on the model for this campaign is quite attractive and I can see myself purchasing some of the products as I think that they will easily work with my skintone. Smashbox describes the collection as follows, "Expose your natural beauty with this gorgeous collection of sunkissed shades. Illuminating bronzers, creamy cheek colors, and barely-there glosses create a sexy summer glow. Natural beauty - exposed".

Let's look at the new collection...

Naked Beauty Photo Finish Lid Primer - Our best-selling, ultra-luxurious lid perfector, now in a shimmering nude shade. Wear it alone as a glowy golden sheen or under one of your favorite summer shadows. This revolutionary formula contains Phytomoist, a plant based hyaluronic acid for ultimate moisturization plus skin perfecting amino acids. Soft focus pearls help diminish the appearance of fine lines and discoloration on the lids, while patented delivery system ensures effective results.

Naked Beauty High Lights/Creamy Cheek Color - This duo of sheer, creamy cheek color and soft highlighter instantly gives cheeks a sexy flush and your complexion a radiant glow.

Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Set - From glistening nudes to peek-a-boo pinks, these eight mini glosses infuse lips with just the right amount of soft color and shine. All new shades! Includes: Lip Gloss in Bare, Buff, Naked, Nude, Exposed, Natural, Sunkissed, and Pure.

Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer - This revolutionary bronzer imparts a gorgeous sunkissed glow while dramatically minimizing the signs of aging. Halo is packed with high performance ingredients like gold, 48 minerals, and a powerful peptide to perfect skin and get you glowing. Its patented hydration system delivers time released moisturization for a radiant, healthy complexion all day. Simply twist the shaver for the perfect amount of bronzer for a single application. In a univeral true bronze shade that works on every skintone and never looks orange. Clinical studies show: after 10 minutes, there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles; and after 6 weeks of use, the overall appearance of fine lines & wrinkles are reduced by 67%. Oil-free, talc-free, paraben-free.

This collection may not be very unique but I can see how it will have universal appeal. I love the lip gloss and the new version of the Eye Primer. The new version of the Primer reminds me of the Sin Primer Potion from Urban Decay but I still want to get this one too. Time will tell if collections like this one sell out or if women want more color in their summer makeup.

photo courtesy of Smashbox

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer

After loving the HD foundation and the matching powder, I don't hesitate to try anything from the Make Up Forever HD collection. Today, we are going to look at the Primer, which is actually the first item that I bought from this collection at Sephora (many items from this line are exclusives) but I had put it aside and totally forgotten about it. I found in the other week in my train case and decided to give it a try. I have never used face primer before even though I swear by eye shadow primers. The other week, I was at MAC and Prep + Prime was used on me and I loved the feel of it so much that I bought it and decided to try out this product that I already owned to see if I got the same feeling from both.

Sephora states that this product is "A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application". The website provides further product details right here, "HD Microperfecting Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer". This product is available in one translucent shade and six color correcting shades. I have have the clear shade and imagine that this would work for every single skin type and tone.

So what I do I like about it? First of all, it feeling cooling and calming going on. I apply it with my fingers and let it set for about 30 seconds after application. I tried applying it with a makeup sponge but I felt that too much of the product was just absorbed right into the sponge. I have been told that primers can be worn on there own on low maintence days and I have tried this out yet but I would really like to. Right away, I can see a reduction in the redness on my cheek area. Also, my pores appear much smaller and any oily areas in my T-zone are mattified. Using this primer makes my foundation apply much easier and I have to use less foundation than I did before working with this product. I am really happy with the results.

This product comes in the same style pump bottle that the HD Foundation is available in. Two full is perfect for covering my whole face without wasting any product. I actually have nothing bad to say about this product and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone.

Here are the shades that you can choose from...

- 0 Neutral - adds natural luminosity to the complexion

- 1 Green - minimizes redness (ideal for skin with rosacea)

- 2 Mauve - counteracts sallow undertones

- 4 Caramel - combats ashiness in medium to dark skin tones/warms golden tones

- 5 Blue - adds radiance to fair skin/reduces minor imperfections

- 6 Yellow - lightens dark complexions

- 7 Pink - brightens the complexion/counteracts sallow undertones

After the success of the Neutral shade, I would love to try this product in both the 1 Green and the 5 Blue shades. I love Make Up For Ever HD and I am beginning to believe that this collection is one of the highest quality lines on the market today.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Most Wanted June 2010

I once thought that I wasn't a super fan of summer beauty but I guess that the new releases for this summer season have proven me wrong. MAC To The Beach has captured my heart and will end up being where I spend most of my money in the upcoming days...

My Most Wanted list to begin summer...

- LUSH Grass Shower Gel
- Urban Decay Summer Love Eye Shadow Palette
- Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Koi
- Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow Palette Summer 2010 in Pink Party Pretty
- Philosophy Pineapple Coconut 3 in 1
- MAC To The Beach Tinted Lipglass in Easy Lounger
- MAC To The Beach Eye Shadow in Sand & Sun
- MAC To The Beach Eye Kohl in Rosemary & Thyme
- MAC To The Beach Lipglass in Splashing
- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I am feeling that a beach trip is going to be necessary this month...