Bath and Body Works Pure, Simple, Signature

Pure, Simple, Signature is a newer line to the Bath and Body Works line of body products. This is a smaller line with only five current scents in it and it is only available online and in select stores. The line itself is a great concept, each fragrance is based on one note and only one note. The fragrance smells like that note and nothing perfumy or musky is added to change the fragrance. I feel that this collection will have a wide appeal since not everyone likes stronger scents and some fragrances could even be considered unisex. For instance, I could totally see my sixteen year old brother using the Tangerine or the Pear fragrances.

As I stated above, there are only five fragrances available in this line. Linen, a clean fresh fragrance; Tangerine, a one note citrus; Pear, a very light one note fragrance; Passionfruit, a light creamy fruit fragrance; and Coconut, a 100% true coconut fragrance. Several of them remind me of earlier fragrances that have been long discontinued. When I was in middle school, I had a pear scent from Victoria's Secret and this new fragrance is very close. Coconut reminds me of the old Creamy Coconut (that I hoard at Semi-Annual), and Tangerine reminds me of the old C.O. Bigelow Clementine products.

All of the fragrances are available in shower gel and lotion, only some are available in body mists. Also, they are all available in candles. I can't check exact availabilty on the mists right now since the Bath and Body Works website only has the candles in stock. I do believe that I saw the Coconut and the Passionfruit in body mists, there might be more.

I will have to go to store and find what is left of this line pretty soon. I want all the body products in the Coconut. I want the shower gel and lotion in the Pear and Tangerine fragrances. So far, it seems that this concept is a hit and I would love to see how Bath and Body Works decides to run with it in the coming seasons. Apple in the fall? Rose in the spring? Daisy in the summer?

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Benefit The Garden of Good and Eva

I have just fallen in love with the name of this fragrance, especially because I have a former co-worker named Eva and I could see her loving it too. Also, with the word "garden" in the title, I bet that it will have floral notes in it, very much upping the chance that I will want it. This is one of the new fragrances in the Crescent Row line of fragrances from Benefit.

Sephora states that it can be considered a floral oriental. The description from their website is as follows, "Breeze down a lush lane, she's the fresh rush of splendor you can't quite explain. So vividly vibrant, with a carefree demeanor, she whirls off to a place "where grasses are greener". The Crescnet Row fragrances are based on a fashionable strip of flats in Bath, England, which serve as home to several imaginary girls. Their lives are filled with laughter, gossip, and seduction; and each scent, bottle, artwork, and name was created to reflect the fascinating protagonists. The Garden of Good and Eva is a crisp and fresh citrus floral. Discover the scent that strikes a chord - and then come back to collect the others!"

The notes are listed too - Pear, Watermelon, Ozone Accords, Muguet, Rosebud, Jasmine Petals, Green Violet Leaves, Freesia, Sandalwood, Musk, Cedarwood.

I think that this fragrance will be a keeper for me. I do wish that it had come out slightly earlier in the year since I would have worn this fragrance in the spring going into the summer. At the point in the summer, I am looking forward to the fall fragrances that I am going to buy and if I bought this one, I would end up puttiong it away until next spring.

This fragrance is one the of three new one from Crescent Row. Within the next two weeks, I will look at the other two and see which ones will be the best for me.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Most Wanted August 2010

It's time to begin shopping for fall! This month, I seem to be craving eye makeup and skincare products. Interesting...

- Chanel Nail Polish in Paradoxal
- Urban Decay Naked Eye Shadow Palette
- Burberry Lip Glow in Blush
- Cle de Peau Beaute Eye Color Quad in Platinum
- Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Matte Finish
- Guerlain Ecrin 6 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in Champs-Elysees
- Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss EDT
- Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion
- Benefit The Pore Fessional Pro Skin Balm
- Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Violette

Smart Girls Who Surf Suncare Products

As I mentioned earlier this week, this is a beach weekend at the Jersey shore (GLT anyone?!) and I need sun protection products that are going to stand up to the elements. I am not the girl that just lays on her towel when I go the beach. I'm the girl that is in and out of the water and who is always running around and playing in the sand. So I heavy duty suncare and Smart Girls Who Surf is right up my alley. Now, I cannot surf but have always wanted to go to Southern California and learn so this line also allows me to pretend that I am California girl (cue the Katy Perry music).

Smart Girls Who Surf is a natural skincare line based out of Laguna Beach and they pride themsleves on using natural and organic products that will not hurt the environment. A unique aspect of this line is that they are aware that anything that is on your skin when you go swimming will end up in the ocean so they strive to make products that do no harm the fragile ocean environment and ecosystem. Man, I need to move to Southern California...

The first product that I want from this company is the After Sun Soothing Lotion. As I said the other day, my skin always feels dry after I get in from outside and I need products that can help correct this issue. "Hydrate and nourish your overexposed, dry skin. Smart Girls Who Surf hydrating body lotion will revitalize your overexposed dry skin after a long day at the beach or pool. Specially enriched with organic aloe, green tea extract, and anti-oxidants (vitamins A, B5, and C), this all natural formula will leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. You will once again have healthy skin! This is the best lotion for dry skin. Paraben free. Water resistant and sweat resistant. Hypo-allergenic for face and body. Perfect for sensitive skin. Light kiwi scent". I need to add this to my collection. I am also wondering if after sun lotions will help my fake tan since I feel like the DHA in some formula drys my skin out. Time to experiment...

The next item that I need from this company in order to no become a lobster at the beach is the SPF 30 Chemical Free Sunblock. Chemical free means that it shouldn't irritate my skin and that I will actually want to use it. "Our Smart Girls Who Surf Chemical Free SPF 30+ Sunscreen has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and is formulated with Zinc Oxide (5%) and titanium dioxide (7%) and fortified with green tea extract, provitamin B5, C, and vitamin E. This sunscreen is sweat resistant, water resistant, won't sting your eyes and is chemical free and paraben free. This is the best sunscreen for your body and it is environmentally friendly!"

I have never even thought about the products that I swear on my skin getting into the ocean and about the effect that they might have on it. I need to try these out and get away from my chemical sunscreens. So I am going to take a chance and order them and hope they are as amazing as they sound!

photo courtesy of Smart Girls Who Surf

NARS Fall 2010 Collection

Oh how I have been obsessed with NARS lately! Ever since I discovered the palettes on their website, I want anything and everything NARS. So what is better than their Fall 2010 collection debuting and giving me even more reasons to buy products from them?! The muse for this collection is Daphne Guinness, the legendary heiress to the whole Guinness fortune. The NARS website states the following about the collection, "Whether it is avant-garde or A-list, the NARS woman is simply irresistable. Perhaps no one fits that description better than Daphne Guinness. Francois Nars' mesmerizing muse and inspiration this Fall. Sexy, sultry, daring, and decadent, Daphne 'is the ideal icon to capture Fall 2010's old-Hollywood meets futuristic look,' says Francois".

Here is the new collection...

Blush - Made with transparent pigments for a soft and sheer look. Imparts a natural, healthy glow for any skin tone and may be worn alone or layered together for more depth and intensity. Provides a sheer, natural hint of color. Made with transparent pigments to avoid heaviness. Broad selection of shades.

- Douceur - soft pink-brown

Eye Shadow - Longwearing, crease resistant color in sheer wearable formulas. All NARS eye shadows can be applied sheer or layered for a more dramatic effect. These richly pigmented powders blend effortlessly and can also be used wet for precisely lining the eyes. Richly pigmented, micronized powder formula provides improved wear and feel. Effortless blending. Multifunction: use as eye shadow, eye liner, and on eye brows.

- Coconut Grove - deep taupe brown

- Daphne - deep violet

- Mangrove - soft yellow-green

Lipstick - A wide range of captivating shades designed to provide the look and style the color dictates. NARS Lipstick is available in three formulas. Fashionable colors available in three textures. Exceedingly longwearing. Nourishing and non-drying, with Vitamin E. One you start wearing NARS Lipstick, you won't want to wear anything else.

- Rouge Basque - brick red

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.

- Strawberry Fields - bright strawberry pink

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil - Soft Touch Shadow Pencils provide easy, portable, longwearing application. These jumbo sized pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line, or highlight the eye. Smooth, creamy texture delivers a smooth, velvety feel to the eye and make for easy blending and an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity. Portable application. Smooth, creamy, longwearing formula. Easy and seamless blending. Ideal base for layering with powder eye shadow to increase color intensity.

- Palladium - turquoise with silver glitter

Duo Eye Shadow - Shades to inpsire and desire. The same longwearing crease resistant formula as NARS Single Eye Shadow, in uniquely paired color combinations. Worn together or alone, all duo eye shadows can be applied sheer or built up for a more dramatic effect. All powder eye shadows can be used wet or dry. Richly pigmented, micronized powder formula provides improved wear and feel. Effortless blending; coordinated in fashionable pairs. Multifunction: use as eye shadow, eye liner, or on eye brows.

- Rajasthan - metallic beige/blue-black charcoal

- Tzarine - platinum gold infused with gold and silver reflections/steel gray

This wasn't quite the amazing collection that I was hoping for. I am only really excited about one product, the Duo Eye Shadow in Tzarine, I think I am in love with the platinum gold shade in the duo. Otherwise, the only other item that I want to get is the Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss and that's a shade that I either already own something close to or there are a million dupes out there for it. I'm rather disappointed...

photo courtesy of NARS

California Baby Suncare Products

I know that I have been looking ahead to fall and am enmeshed in the fall makeup collections. However, that doesn't mean that I can ignore the fact that I still need my sun protection to perform to the standards required in the height of summer. Last weekend, I spent the whole afternoon in the sun at the Phillies games, this weekend I might be going down the shore. Sunscreen is not my favorite product to use since one that is too strong will really irritate my skin. Therefore, I decided to try a different approach this time. The California Baby company makes skin and suncare that is perfect for a baby's skin, so my will be safe in the hands of these products. Their products are natural and environmentally friendly.

The first product that I am considering is the Aloe Vera Cream. I didn't get burned last weekend at the game but my skin always feels very dry after being in the sun and I wanted something that would hydrate and soothe it. This can be used on either the body or face. "Nature's first aid! Botanically based, this light and fluffy non-greasy cream contains 100% Aloe Vera infused with herbs and essential oils known for their soothing and healing properties. Recommended for eczema, rosacea, and other skin sensitivities. Ultra hydration...aids dry, irritated, or parched skin. Use to heal, soothe, and repair stretch marks, scars, sunburned, or just shaved or waxed skin. Use it as a great year-round moisturizing lotion for all ages...newborn and up." I need this product for my body and face! I am especially excited to try it post waxing, last time I went to the salon, I didn't get my usual stylist and my eyebrows were red and irritated for a day after the wax.

The second item that I really want from this company is a sunblock stick. It often seems that no matter how well I put on my sunscreen, I always miss a few tiny areas. Like the top of my ears and right around my forehead. Then I get really strange looking burned patches that look horrid. The product that would suit me well for this purpose is the No Fragrance SPF 30 Sunblock Stick. "Pop this convenient PABA-free, non-chemical, fragrance-free sunblock stick into your pocket, purse, or diaper bag. The whole fmaily will love this easy-to-use stick that gives those "hot spots" a boost of extra protection. Our non-chemical sunblock stick employs a highly micronized, non-whitening titanium dioxide that scatters and reflects dangerous UV rays, offering UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection. Non-staining formula. It glides on smoothly for easy application. May be used in combination with our SPF 30+ sunscreen lotions."

These products can easily be found at Whole Foods and Target year round. I will be heading out to my local Target before I hit up the beach this weekend.

photo courtesy of California Baby

MAC Dare To Wear

Dare To Wear is the newest collection of eye and lip shades from MAC. It is a small collection, consisting only of eye shadow shades and lipglass shades. Since I don't Dare To Wear very often, I don't know how well this collection will suit me. I am going to challenge myself to find at least one shade from each group and try to adapt it to my look with the shades that I already own.

The MAC website describes the collection as follows, "Join the brigade of loud-and-proud who daily dare to declare their own individuality. High-powered pigment and holographic pearl create a crazy-intense, shine-saturated gloss, combined with eye shadow shades as over-the-top as Lady G live! Not afraid to DARE TO WEAR? Bravo!"

Here we go...

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

- Aqua - subdued, pale grayed aqua (Matte)

- Crazy Cool - pale frosty lavender (Veluxe Pearl)

- Free To Be - bright true coral (Matte)

- Sky Blue - robin's egge blue (Matte)

- Winkle - midtone cornflower blue (Satin)

- Lime - lime green (Matte)

- Going Bananas - soft lemon yellow (Frost)

- Zingy - bright sky blue (Matte)
- Atlantic Blue - bright violet blue (Matte)

- Louder, Please - bright fuchsia (Matte)

- Shock-a-holic - deep purple (Matte)

- Sassy Grass - bright grass green (Matte)

Dare To Wear Lipglass - An out-to-shock Lipglass that combines bold, high-impact pigment colour with holographic pearl for a multi-dimensional effect that helps shape, shine, and dynamically dazzle the lips! Creamy smooth: easy and comfortable to wear - if you dare! Limited edition.

- Dare to Dare - light blue pink with multi pearl

- Wind Me Up - dirty bronze with pink and gold pearl

- So Bad - midtone coral orange with pink and gold pearl

- Gimme That! - bright fuchsia pink with pink pearl

- Bold & Brash - bright red with multi pearl

- Ban This! - deep purple with multi pearl

Ok, none of the lip shades are a go, all of them are too pigmented and bright for my taste. I want to get only two of the eye shadow shades, but I am only confident that one of them will work. The shade that I am condident will work with what I already own is Crazy Cool, the pale lavender. I really like the Sassy Grass shade but I must see how bright it comes out in real life. I am thinking that I could work it into my current eye routine by doing it as a pop of color in the crease when paired with golds and bronzes.

photo courtesy of MAC