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Fresh and Light Fragrances For Summer

It has been so hot in Kansas City lately. Yesterday was almost 105 — yikes! Today has cooled (?) down to the 90’s. In this hot weather, I love to wear fresh and light fragrances. Below are the ones I have been using and enjoying.

Thymes Lemon Geranium Petite Cologne ($18 USD, 0.4 fl oz) — Perfumery meets botany in a lush sensory experience. Perfect for travel, this pocket-sized perfume revitalizes your senses with freshly pulped lemon geranium, clippings of dewy muguet, honeysuckle and green armoise, steeped in Tonka bean and tree moss. Take it wherever life takes you. It is a fresh and citrusy scent, perfect for hot days!

Also Available in bath salts, body souffle, bubbling bath elixir, candle, body and bed mist, and shower gel. The Garden Alchemy Collection also include the scents Rosemary Sage and Wild Angelica.

Available at www.thymes.com.

Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Oil ($50 USD 100ml) — Intoxicate the senses with an exotic blend of Coconut Coprah Oil and sweet-scented Frangipani flowers. Monoi Oil is traditionally produced in harmony with nature on the beautiful coral shores of the Polynesian Islands by soaking Frangipani flowers in Coconut Oil.This exquisite treatment oil has long-lasting hydration properties to seal in moisture and leave skin silky soft. Can be used as an intensive conditioning treatment for hair and nails.

This is wonderfully scented and moisturizing. This is for days that you want a lovely sheen on your skin with a sweet floral fragrance. Learn more at www.elemis.com.

Caswell-Massey Sea Grass Hand & Body Soap Set ($30 USD) — Three individually wrapped bar soaps are nestled into a gift box – perfect for hostess gift giving. The scent will transport you to the seashore with a warm, breezy air of a relaxing summer day. Made from the freshest ingredients including a combination of citrus bouquet, sparkling notes of crisp greens, calming florals and hints of Cedar and Sandalwood.

This is a perfect fresh soap to place in by every sink in the house. Available at CaswellMassey.com and Beauty.com

Cartier Baiser Vole ($69 USD 1 oz) Cartier Baiser Vole is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner. An original creation from Cartier’s in-house perfumer, Baiser Volé, meaning ‘Stolen Kiss,’ is the expression of love according to Cartier. A story of pure passion told through a strikingly feminine and rare flower: the lily. Baiser Volé is a pure floral fragrance, reflecting all its perfection for the first time: fresh, floral and powdery.

I received a small sample of this in a gift with purchase. I have been wearing it and I fear that my sample is almost out! It is such a wonderful clean, light floral scent. I would wear it every day if I could.

Purchase this at fine fragrance stores like Sephora.

Enjoy a new summer scent!
Notes: Lily Petals, Green Lily Leaves. Style: Fresh. Floral. Powdery.

Define Your Curls With White Sands Curl Up in Silk Firm Hold Mousse

: White Sands Curl Up in Silk

My hair is naturally slightly wavy, so I usually like to straighten it. But in the summer, I don’t like to do a lot to it and try to find ways to accentuate my waves.

So the last few weeks I have been using White Sands Curl Up in Silk Firm Hold Mousse. It is formulated to softly hold curls, creating texture, dimension, waves, and volume: the perfect styling product for curl definition and hold. Yet, despite its firm hold, Curl Up in Silk provides a light, flexible feel free of unwanted flaking and product build up, leaving hair silky, shiny and soft.

The claim of this product is that due to the unique chemical molecular structure of the ingredients, Curl Up in Silk Firm Hold Mousse will provide a new type of curl pattern. Once applied to wet or dry locks, the wave created will take on a rope-like effect, causing the hair to group together and turn over each other. Curl up in Silk also resists moisture for long-lasting styles even in the highest levels of humidity. With the additional benefit of thermal protection, it is the perfect complement to your favorite heat styling tools such as curling irons, hot rollers, and flat irons.

As my hair is not curly, just a little wavy, I get soft, slightly ropey waves. But it is a beachy look — like I just came out of the ocean! It also smells fantastic and leaves my hair soft.

Suggested Retail Price: 7oz, $19.50 via fine salons & www.whitesandsproducts.com.

Enjoy!

Pureology Supreme Control Maximum Hold Zero Dulling Hairspray

It’s time to take control of your hair! No longer must you hide your limp locks or frizzy flyaways with hats and scarves, because Pureology is introducing Supreme Control maximum hold zero dulling hairspray ($26, 11oz)!

Supreme Control fortifies your sometimes unpredictable hair with maximum hold and extra shine to keep your ponytails smooth, your braids tight, and your curls bouncy… all while keeping your hair sleek, shiny, and frizz-free. Join us in discovering the newest addition to the Pureology Colour Stylist line of styling products, which will deliver the hold you want, and the protection and color fade prevention you deserve!

Like other Colour Stylist products, Supreme Control features Pureology’s exclusive Strengthening Anti Fade Complex® enhanced with Keravis protein to provide strength and protect colour from UV and free radical damage. Vegetable-based polymers provide caring hold that lasts. Unique reflective lipid extracts deliver maximum radiance and olive oil replenishes and nourishes to infuse hair with suppleness, while camelina extract forms a humidity-resistant barrier to help lock in the style. Finally, coriander oil creates mirror surface shine for enhanced colour vibrancy.

What I think: First of all, this hairspray smells amazing. Which is unusual for hair spray as it usually has a chemical scent.

I have found that it has a fairly stiff hold, but it does not dull the hair. This is perfect for every day use, and special occasions.

Visit www.pureology.com for a retail location near you!

Enjoy!

Sexy Summer Makeup From LORAC, BECCA Cosmetics and the New Simply Vera Vera Wang Collection

LORAC Wild For TANtalizer® Collection ($39 USD) — This limited-edition set contains all the warm-weather must-haves including an eye shadow quad with shimmering gold and bronze eye shadows, a limited-edition animal-print face bronzer, TANtalizer Lips With Benefits Gloss in a super sexy peach-bronze shade, and an exotic canvas bag with animal-print details.

I love the colors in this set. The eye shadow palette give a sexy, smoky eye and the bronzer and lip gloss are light and glowy. Perfect for hot summer nights! Available at www.loraccosmetics.com.

I have been lucky to try some fab products from the new Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS collections, including the ones below. The shades and formulas are shimmery and so summery! I love:

Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Illuminating Powder Blush ($19.50 USD) — Give cheeks a soft, radiant glow with sheer yet buildable color. Included brush helps you create the perfect illuminating color on your cheeks. Powder blush is perfect for summer because it is longer wearing than cream blush — great for summer!

Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Smoothing Lipcolor ($18.50 USD) — Glide on for rich color that reduces the appearance of fine, dry lines. This lipstick is almost like a balm because it is so moisturizing, but the colors are well pigmented.

Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Transforming Shadow Duo ($19.50 USD) — A new approach to shadow duos – the sophisticated pairs define, shape and enhance eyes. Wear individually or together. Matte and shimmering finishes provide you with options.

The only thing that I don’t care for about this collection are that the many shades are numbered and do not have actual names. It’s kind of confusing that way! Available at Kohl’s store and www.kohls.com.

BECCA Cosmetics Balearic Love Collection — BECCA invites you to dream of distant shores and unguarded temptation with the Balearic Love Collection.

BECCA Cosmetics Mineral Blush ($32 USD) is a luxury powder for cheeks, imparting natural, luminous colour that is ultra-kind to skin. This longwearing mineral contains a hint of highlight to lift the complexion, with a delicate formula that never appears cakey or chalky. I love the Bolero color which is a demi-matte bronze. This will help enhance a tan — like the fake one I am sporting!

BECCA Cosmetics Eye Tint ($24 USD) — An ingenious eye crème with a unique formulation that glides on as a crème and sets to a powder. This long-lasting, water-resistant, crease-resistant tint is easy to apply, offering adjustable levels of sheer to high pigment colour.

This is so pretty, but it is more of a thick liquid than a cream and collects in the crease of my eye. I have to blend it out of the crease with a brush or my fingers. But it does last a fairly long time.

BECCA Cosmetics Line and Define Pencil ($23 USD) — A combination liner and brightener in one, this convenient dual-ended pencil has a soft, smooth texture that glides on easily to line, define and brighten the eyes, while blending easily. The dark side of BECCA’s Line & Define Pencil lavishly lines while the light side helps brighten and awaken tired eyes for a vibrant and youthful effect.

I have this in Cabrera — metallic bronze on one side and deep violet on the other. The colors are gorgeous and very smooth in application. I love using the Violet for the top lash and the bronze for the bottom. But, they do not last and smear under my eyes only an hour or two after wear. I tried to wear it at work one day and had to remove it shortly after arriving, because it was running down my face. So sad, because it is so pretty!

BECCA Cosmetics Nail Color ($15 USD) — This high-performance enamel coats nails with an immediate glossy shine that has superior lasting-power. With smooth, self-leveling colour that brushes evenly onto nails, BECCA Nail Colour delivers intense, fast-drying pigment for imminently wearable nails in 9 must-have colours. I love Cala Blanca (a sandy nude) for summer fingernails and Tempranillo (Plum Red) for my toes.

Purchase at www.beccacosmetics.com. Enjoy!

China Glaze Summer Neons 2012

There are some fantastic new bright fingernail polishes available now to brighten up your summer!

China Glaze has recently released their Summer 2012 collection called Summer Neons. The shades are:

Love’s A Beach: Sizzling hot pink

Hang-Ten Toes: Bubblegum neon with iridescent purple shimmer

Under the Boardwalk: Fluorescent raspberry

Beach Cruise-r: Glimmering fuchsia grape

Ride the Waves: Dark ocean blue

Splish Splash: Bright sky blue shimmer

I’m With the Lifeguard: Glimmering lime green

Sun-Kissed: Hot highlighter yellow

Orange You Hot?: Bright orange with attention-grabbing gold glimmer

Surfin’ For Boys: Glistening bright coral

Flirty Tankini: Shimmery strawberry smoothie pink

Pink Plumeria: Light pink with gold shimmer

All the shades are so pretty and will be fun on finger or toe nails!

Available now at salons and beauty supply stores near you!

Enjoy!

I Just Received My FREE Mom VoxBox 2012

I was lucky to be chosen to receive a Mom VoxBox from influenster.com. Influenster is a website that you can take little surveys about your lifestyle and interests, and you may receive boxes of samples to review.

How do you get a VoxBox? The website states:

Influensters are selected for themed shipments based on the badges they have unlocked and individual demographics, ensuring members receive products that match their lifestyles and interests. Members with high ‘Influenster scores’ – within the specific consumer groups we are targeting for that program – are prioritized, so make sure to connect and unlock as many Influence Badges as you can!

Being a mom, I recently received the Mom Box. It contained the items in the photo above:

Ivory Bar Soap ($4.27 for 10 pack)

DenTek Comfort Clean & Fun Flossers ($1.99 – $2.99 for full packs)

Stash Tea Superfruits Tea Sampler ($3.50)

Nektar Sweetener ($6.99 box of 40 packets)

Quaker Soft Baked Cookies ($2.69 Box of 6)

inPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails ($5.99 – $7.99)

Bonus Gift — The Original Dish Drying Mat ($4.99)

This was a wonderful box to receive — free stuff is awesome! I will be doing more in-depth reviews of some of these products soon, so stay tuned!

I definitely recommend for you to go to www.influenster.com to sign up!

Review of Skincare Brand Joey New York

I have recently tried a couple of products from Joey New York. This is a brand that was around years ago and is making a return. Their products have the trendy ingredient coconut water, which is unusual in skincare. Here is the description of the brand from their website, www.joeynewyork.com:

The return of a cult favorite, updated to deliver instant results naturally. When skincare expert Joey Chancis first launched Joey New York almost two decades ago, the collection was met with rave reviews, attracting a cult following. Now Joey returns with a revamped collection, delivering the same instant results and quick fixes in a healthy new way with the help of one of nature’s most healing, soothing ingredients: Young Green Tender Coconut Water. Renowned around the globe for its hydrating, nourishing and replenishing benefits, Young Green Tender Coconut Water is the drink of choice for those in the know. Utilizing breakthrough technology, Joey New York taps the unparalleled benefits of Young Green Tender Coconut Water, formulating every product in the new range with the nutrient-packed ingredient. Rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, the tropical water is as beneficial for the skin as it is for the body, restoring a healthy youthful glow.

The products I have tried are:

Joey New York Keep It Up ($42 USD) — For a Lifted and Tightened Look. Joey, together with her team of chemists and researchers, developed a specialized blend of luxurious spa ingredients to help counteract the look of sagging skin, pores and wrinkles on the face, neck, jowls and decolleté.

Benefits:

Helps temporarily uplift and firm the appearance of skin horizontally and vertically
Helps create a youthful look and a tight yet comfortable feeling all day

Features:

Contains Coconut Water with Indian Ginseng Extract Complex plus peptides
No parabens, no phthalates, no sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates

What I think: I have applied this all over my face and neck, and in a few minutes, my face was firmed and smoothed. It did feel a little tight for me and there was a bit of a crust around the edges of my face. The second time I tried it, I used less and it worked better. I think this is a good product for a special occasion or an evening out. I don’t think I could handle the tightness every day.

Joey New York Correct-A-Line ($36 USD) — For Face and Eyes. Joey, together with her team of chemists and researchers, developed a specialized blend of luxurious spa ingredients to help your wrinkles and pores, within minutes, appear as though they disappeared.

Benefits:

Helps give face and under eye area a temporary all-over line lift
Helps give a super matte ultimate porcelain finish
Helps skin feel fresh and bright

Features:

Contains young, tender, green Coconut Water Complex for lush hydration
Perfect for all skin types
Can be worn alone or under makeup

What I think: This is skincare and primer in one product. I love the matte, velvety finish and that this gives, plus skin is so soft and touchable! I apply it under my eyes and all over my face. I like to wear it under makeup — it provides a smooth surface for my foundation and powder.

Visit www.joeynewyork.com to learn more.

Enjoy!

Beautiful New Makeup From Laura Geller!

I have been so lucky to receive some beautiful makeup lately for review! Some has been from the lovely makeup artist and cosmetic creator Laura Geller. She creates long wearing products that come in the most beautiful colors.

Here are some that I have been currently enjoying:

Laura Geller Bright Lids, Big City Baked Collection ($39 USD) — A collection of three Sugared Baked Pearl Eye Shadows in megawatt shades. Day or night, big-city shindig or impromptu brunch, light up your looks instantly with just a few sweeps of show-stopping color. Transforming your lids into light-catching, dazzling eyes has never been this electrifying.

Includes:

0.06-oz Sugared Baked Pearl Eye Shadow in Tribeca Blue, a satiny electric cobalt shade
0.06-oz Sugared Baked Pearl Eye Shadow in Upper East Side Purple, a luxe metallic grape shade
0.06-oz Sugared Baked Pearl Eye Shadow in Soho Pink, a glimmering magenta shade
Made in Italy

Laura Geller Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liners ($16.50 USD) — Inkwell Waterproof Gel liner is one of the best, the silkiest and the most long-wearing gel-based liner you’ll ever get your hands on. A special gel silicon resin gives the no-budge, transfer-resistant formula its luxurious feel and crease-free finish. Unlike other gel liners that tend to dry out, Inkwell stays soft, moist and emollient, thanks to a well of skin-loving ingredients: VitaminE, Wheat Germ Oil and Jojoba Oil. You’ll love how easy it is to apply. And, once it sets, you’ll forget it’s even there. (You’ll simply be reminded of it when people compliment your gorgeous gaze!).

The shades are:

Black is a classic inky hue that goes on rich.

Purple is an elegant aubergine that creates a bedazzling gaze.

Laura Geller Lip Dream – Cream Berry ($23.50 USD) A colorful palette of pink and burgundy shades for kissable lips. This lip palette adds pop for people of all skin tones and types. It’s a quartet of super-wearable lip colors in one sleek compact. Use one stripe or combine them all–so many options, so many effects. The texture is sueded and cushiony, combining the coverage of a lipstick with the comfort and shine of a gloss. Wear each shade individually, in layers, or blended together by sweeping your fingertip or a brush across the colors. For the smoothest, most precise, and longest wearing results, apply by brush (not included).

Laura Geller Bright Lips, Big City Collection ($36 USD) This collection captures the vibrant hues of the brightly lit New York City skyline at night in three luminous Lip Pops Waterproof Lip Glosses. Each show-stopping shade goes on creamy and leaves a natural-looking tint on lips. This creamy and luxurious lip gloss combines the pout-enhancing qualities of a gloss with the long-lasting finish of a stain. The lip-softening formula packs in cottonseed oil and vitamin E for the most pillowy results.

Includes:

0.12-fl oz Lip Pops Waterproof Lip Gloss in Midtown Melon, a juicy, electric melon shade
0.12-fl oz Lip Pops Waterproof Lip Gloss in Nolita Pink, a delicious pink shade
0.12-fl oz Lip Pops Waterproof Lip Gloss in Broadway Berry, a dazzling raspberry shade
Made in Italy

Available at www.laurageller.com and www.qvc.com. Enjoy!

New Makeup Shades For Summer

There are so many beautiful, bright and shimmery colors in makeup this summer. I do love to vary my makeup colors, but especially when the seasons change.

This year, I am loving shimmery bronze, purple and gold eyes plus soft cheeks and a bright, sheer lip. The colors below are lovely — try them yourselves!

Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow ($19 USD) — Developed in their studios to take long-wearing color to the next level! These super luxe, super saturated shadows glide on and stay put, even through the longest photo shoots. The

• 12 super creamy, vibrant shades

• No creasing, no caking, no flaking

• Holds up against water and humidity

Try layering darker shades over lighter ones to build definition and depth for a subtle, yet smoldering stare. Available at www.smashbox.com

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Pen ($3 USD) — Mascara smears? Uneven eyeliner? Quickly remove or correct small makeup smudges, smears and mistakes without having to take off the rest of your makeup! The gentle and non-greasy formula erases even long wearing and waterproof makeup for flawless touch ups, perfect for throwing in your purse or gym bag when you’re on-the-go! Infused with Vitamin E, Cucumber and Chamomile to moisturize and condition skin. Visit www.eyeslipsface.com or a Target store near you.

Fall in love this summer with Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Face Color G ($24 USD). Inspired by the warm tones of a midsummer sky, the dreamy blushes contour cheeks and provide a natural, enchanting glow. The shades are:

Nubile — A soft, flirty peach to flatter every skin tone.

Nymph — A pop of pink to add a bold burst of color.

Faune — A deep rose to create elegant contours.

Paul & Joe – Limited Edition – Lip Gloss G ($22 USD) — Paul & Joe Beaute introduces a new collection that will send your taste buds dancing. The Lip Gloss G collection consists of three new enchanting shades that instantly melt onto your lips for a punch of sheer shimmering color that coolly completes your sexy, summer style. The shades are:

Dream a Little Dream — An enchanting orange sherbet tint with a creamy cool Orange & Vanilla flavor.

Fairie Kisses –A bright yellow gloss that appears translucent on lips with a light Green Apple & Vanilla flavor to refresh your pucker on a sweltering day.

Love Potion — The perfect pink to swipe on for day or night with a light Strawberry & Vanilla flavor.

All of the Paul & Joe products are available at www.BeautyHabit.com.

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmers with NEW Shades ($5 USD) Many lips have fallen for this slender tube of lip goodness–vibrant luminescent color and pearlized shine packed with nourishing natural ingredients. Now Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer fans have more to love. The 100% natural formula is enhanced with antioxidant-rich Fruit Seed Oils and moisturizing Shea Butter to optimize color payoff while improving skin smoothness, but the signature refreshing, cool burst of Peppermint Oil remains. The shade range has been updated in keeping with color trends and includes three new shades: Cherry, Plum and Strawberry. The full range includes twelve shades: Radiance, Champagne, Peony, Caramel, Guava, Strawberry, Watermelon, Rhubarb, Cherry, Fig, Raisin, and Plum. Purchase at a mass market retailer near you!

Enjoy!

Yves Rocher Summer Beauty Products

If you haven’t heard of Yves Rocher, it’s a French originated company that created botanical skin care, body care, fragrance and makeup.

I was sent some products from the company to test, and have really been enjoying them. Many of these products are very affordable and are of great quality! Some of my favorite Yves Rocher summer products are:

Yves Rocher Mango Passion Fruit Smoothie Shower Gel ($10 for 13.5 oz) — My daughters LOVED this shower gel (past tense because it was gone in a week). The reason why is becasue this mango and passion fruit concoction smells delicious. It smelled just like real fruit and lathered up nicely so that we could also use it as bubble bath! Yum!

Yves Rocher Eau de toilette Monoï ($32 3.3 oz) — One sniff of this and I was transported back to Hawaii — and I haven’t been there since my honeymoon over 20 years ago! Tiare and Ylang Ylang flowers are combined with a Vanilla base, and it is sweet, light and lovely. Vacation in a bottle! They also sell this scent in a body oil, but my teenage daughter took that for her dry legs, and I haven’t seen it since…

Yves Rocher Pearly Water ($10 1 oz) — Pearly and lightly scented skin all at once! Experience an immediate feeling of freshness with this slightly gelled, pearly water. This can be used on the face and body. Its fine-textured, golden pearly particles subtly add shimmer to your complexion. Perfect for instantly enhancing your tan!

Yves Rocher Duo Kohl Pencil - Tropical — Yves Rocher Duo Kohl Pencil – Tropical

Duo Kohl Pencils ($6 USD) Highlight your eyes with these Duo Kohl Pencils, which combine two trendy colors. Each pair comes with one radiant iridescent color (Pink Gold or Camel) to enlarge and brighten your eyes and one intense, matt color (Purple or Tropical Khaki) to structure your eyes and give them depth. Mix and match the colors to create hot new looks!

I have the Tropical pencil that is Camel — a shimmery gold — on one end and Tropical Khaki — a dark blue-green on the other end. I love this. The camel is great for the corners of my eyes and lining the inner rims to create a wide-awake look. The Tropical Khaki is gorgeous for enhincing the eyes and looks great with summer colors.

Yves Rocher Shimmering Bronzer ($10 USD) A tanned complexion for the summer! This shimmering bronzer is this summer’s must-have for a natural and radiant tan. Apply with a brush to enhance or intensify your bronzed complexion. This is also a lovely highlighter for darker complexions! So pretty!

Yves Rocher Lip Gloss – Sienna Red

Lip Gloss in Sienna Red ($5 USD) Luscious lips for the summer! Irresistible lips with this yummy-scented gloss. And the color? I am not a fan of red for me, but this shimmery red is beautiful and would be great with a neutral or a smoky eye. It also feels great on and is not sticky — AWESOME!

Visit www.yvesrocherusa.com to learn more and purchase.

Enjoy!