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Laura Geller Glow-n-Behold Collection

Summer is on it’s way! Actually, it feels like it is here in Kansas City. It is supposed to be in the 80’s all week. So it is time to break out the bronzers and light summer makeup.

So I have to say yay for Laura Geller’s Glow-n-Behold kit. This isn’t only for Summer, but makes you look like you have been enjoying the fresh air and relaxation that the season can bring.

I always love the quality of Laura’s makeup and this set is no different.

Includes:

0.30-fl-oz Dream Creams Concealer & Highlighter Palette in Porcelain/Fair or Regular/Tan–exclusive to QVC until 8/4/12!
0.85-oz Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow, a tan/cream/pearly pink swirl–Best Seller!
0.23-oz Baked Blush Mono Cheek Color in Bora Bora, a pearlescent peach-pink–exclusive to QVC until 8/4/12!
0.12-oz Double-Dipped Lipstick 2-in-1 Creamy Lip Color in Caribbean Kiss, nude petal pink/glazed butter caramel–exclusive to QVC until 8/4/12!
Puff applicator for Baked Body Frosting

Suggested Use:

Dream Creams Concealer & Highlighter Palette: Using your ring finger or a small brush (not included), apply any of the creamy stripes of concealer to undereye area and dark, recessed parts of the face. You can also use it to cover blemishes, age spots, and other skin imperfections. Blend and layer on two or three colors to get the perfect shade any time of the year (darker for summer, lighter for fall). Finish by applying highlighter over the concealer for luminosity, also dabbing it over cheekbones, brow bones, the center of the nose, and other areas you wish to highlight.

Baked Body Frosting: Using the Body Puff, apply all over skin. Build layers for a deeper bronze. Want richer color? Simply dampen puff and apply over areas you want to intensely tan.

Baked Blush Mono Cheek Color: Using a powder brush (not included), apply on apples of cheeks, blending towards the hairline.

Double-Dipped Lipstick 2-in-1 Creamy Lip Color: Apply directly from tube. For more precise application, use a lip brush (not included) to line and fill in. Wear one shade or blend for a customized look.

What I think: I like all of these products and think that this is a pretty amazing collection.

The concealer is very creamy and fun to use. You can used one shade (I used the lightest under my eyes) or combine to get a custom look. I use the second lightest shade to cover blemishes and a combo to cover redness. This works very well.

The bronzer is great for legs, but is very dark. If you are light-skinned like myself, use very sparingly. Can be used on the face, but is too dark for me. The color is good, but a little sparkly, so be aware.

The blush is a beautiful color — really pretty! I think this would look fantastic on all skin tones.

The lipstick is also gorgeous. I love the pink color, but the bronze is nice, too. They also look fab combined!

This collection is available at www.qvc.com. Enjoy!

Brightening Skincare For All Price Ranges From Nuance Salma Hayek, Shiseido and ReVive

Brightening products are increasing in popularity as consumers look for ways to get rid of troublesome spots and lighten skin in targeted areas. I know I have a few dark patches and spots that I would like to lighten.

These products are a big deal in the beauty market as women of all ages want to lighten their dark spots. One of the most popular products at the moment is Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.

I haven’t tried that product, but I have tried the following standout products at different price-points for brightening:

· $: Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing and Brightening Facial Serum –Developed by CVS/pharmacy and Salma Hayek, the Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing and Brightening Facial Serum ($19.99, http://www.cvs.com) features natural Licorice Extract, a tyrosinase inhibitor, to brighten skin and help prevent hyperpigmentation. Other key ingredients include Botanagen SL™ to brighten skin and promote collagen synthesis, exfoliating Bio-Tripeptide, and an antioxidant blend of Tepezcohuite, Blue Agave, South American Camapu, and Mexican Prickly Pear Extract to soothe, hydrate and firm.

What I think: I have tried this product just a few times, so I haven’t seen an improvement in my dark spots. I do notice that it is a very light serum with a subtle floral scent. And it leaves my skin very soft — must be the exfoliators. The applicator is a metal roller, which is cooling and soothing on the skin. It goes on before moisturizer.

I am really impressed by the quality of this product. I will be reviewing other products from this line — look for that post soon!

· $$: Shiseido White Lucent –Expanding upon their groundbreaking White Lucent technology, which targets pigmentation and microcirculation (the two major causes of pigmentation), the line added two new products last month – White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream ($55, www.shiseido.com) and White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum (diminishes dark spots in ten days and prevents future pigmentation, $125, www.shiseido.com). The White Lucent products feature 4MSK, an exclusive patented brightening ingredient that diminishes the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, helping to prevent melanin formation, as well as Yomogi Extract, Multi-Target Vitamin C and Hawthorn Extract.

What I think: I have been using the Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream for a couple of weeks now. It has a fluffy texture and a light, fresh scent. The packaging is very pretty — a shimmering pink jar.

I like how this feels on my skin. It instantly smooths and moisturizes my under-eye skin. My dark circles are a little less noticeable after a couple of weeks. I will continue using this until it is empty.

I have not tried the serum yet, but I will be trying it soon (am using the ReVive serum below). It has received mixed reviews, but I will give it the benefit of the doubt since I enjoy the eye cream.

· $$$: ReVive Blanche Lighten Brighten – Created by renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, ReVive Blanche Lighten Brighten ($400, www.reviveskincare.com), safely and effectively fades spots caused by acne, sun damage and age. A cocktail of four non-hydroquinone agents and powerful antioxidants work together to even skin tone.

What I think: I have been testing this lovely prestige serum for 2 weeks now. It is very pricey — the most expensive skin care product I have tried. But, so far so good. I wear it under moisturizer morning and night. It is a rich serum, and I hot days, I only need a little sunscreen over it.

I have noticed that my skin is noticeably brighter, and my dark spots have gotten a little lighter. It is not greasy at all, so I will continue to use this for the next few weeks. It would be great to have my brown spots less noticeable by summer!

If you have tried one of these products, or a different product by one of these brands, please leave a comment!

Enjoy!

Nip + Fab Clean Fix Wipes

Total Beauty Has recently announced their 2012 Beauty Award Winners. The winner for editor’s choice “Best Makeup Remover” was none other than NIP + FAB Clean Fix Wipes ($5.95 USD, for 25)!

Use these cleaning wipes from Nip + Fab daily to remove dirt and other damaging substances from your face. The gentle wipes work well on all skin types, and they come in a convenient pack that seals up after you are done. Infused with ginseng, aloe + marshmallow for your soft skin cleaning fix on the go! Perfect for the car, gym, travel, or makeup bag.

What I think: These are probably the softest makeup remover wipes I have tried. They feel like real cloth. They are effective in removing all makeup and leave skin clean and soft. Awesome and affordable!

Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online atwww.target.com. More information about NIP + FAB and the other skin and bodycare products they carry visit http://www.nipandfab.com.

TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Collection

TIGI Bead Head has recently released their Candy Fixations collection. This is a group of styling products that have been inspired by sweets.

There are five products in this line. In the photo above from left to right are Sugar Dust, an invisible micro-texture root powder; Glaze Haze, semi-sweet smoothing hair serum, Totally Baked, a volumizing and prepping hair meringue; Sugar Shock hair bodifying sugar spray; Mega Whip, whipped marshmallow hair texture.

I tried the following two products from the collection:

TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Glaze Haze ($15.95, 2oz) – Semi-Sweet Smoothing Hair Serum. This sweet treat candy coats each strand to fight humidity, add shine, and help speed up drying time. Delicious Crème Brule scent.

What I think: I have been using this every day — on wet and dry hair. It instantly smooths flyaways and adds shine. Just one or two drops is all I need for my long hair. I live in Kansas City and in the summer I am hoping that this will help with the frizzies that come with humid heat. It smells nice but the scent is not too strong.

TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Totally Baked ($15.95 USD) – Volumizing and Prepping Hair Meringue. Apply to wet hair for long-lasting weightless movement and enhanced performance of other styling products. Delicious Lemon Meringue Pie scent.

What I think: I have used this on wet hair. It is has a creamy texture and is not too sticky. It does add a bit of volume and helps with the hold of my style. I really like the lemony scent, as well. A good primer product.

Visit www.bedhead.com for a store locator.

Enjoy!

The New CK One Color Cosmetics Line

I love trying brand new cosmetic brands! This Spring was the exciting launch of ck one color cosmetics, a full line-up of over 130 products that all capture the core ck one brand DNA – authentic, confident, and cool.

This line of affordable designer cosmetics continues the recent expansion of ck one into a lifestyle brand, with jeans and underwear introduced under the name in 2011.

I have got to try a few of these products and generally LOVE them. The packaging is unique and fun and the products themselves are really cool!

Here is the description about the packaging. I think it is interesting:

ck one color packaging design furthers the code-breaking legacy of the ck one brand with an understated pill shape that’s iconic and edgy. the modern, minimalist packaging offers simplicity in a black and white silhouette, enhanced by a playful contrast of soft touch matte and high gloss finishes for a heightened sensory experience. designed for intuitive use, product applicators feature two-sided textures and multi-functionality to encourage individual creativity.

Some of my favorite products are:

3-IN-1 FACE MAKEUP SPF 8 ($30 USD) — this distinctive liquid synthesizes serum, primer and face makeup into one simple, lightweight formula. treated pigment technology with triple-layer amino acid that mimics skin for an effortlessly natural, radiant finish. no compromise on skin perfecting coverage. antioxidants protect skin, lasting up to 11 hours.

What I think: A very lightweight but full-coverage makeup, which is very cool. There are 8 shades available from very light to very dark, so something for everyone. I wear the light which is a perfect match for my skin. It applies very smoothly and melts into the skin. So nice!

MOUSSE CONCEALER ($20 USD) — absolute flawlessness. air-whipped concealer delivers a natural, seamless finish that fully hides blemishes and imperfections, lasting up to 9 hours.

What I think — This blends extremely well. It only takes a few minutes to cover my under eye circles and blemishes. To apply, I dip a concealer brush into the pot and dot on my skin, then blend. Really great consistency, not too thick but provides full coverage.

MASCARA ($18 USD) — customize lash looks with a unique twist brush applicator. Select definition or volume with a twist of the cap in this all-in-one mascara.

What I think — Super-cool idea for mascara application. You can twist the top of the cap to make the wand shorter or longer. I make it short first, to thicken lashes, then I make it longer to separate and lengthen. It only takes 2 coats on each eye to make my lashes look extremely long and thick. The only thing that I don’t love is that it flakes towards the end of the day.

POWDER EYESHADOW QUAD ($28 USD) — accentuate. illuminate. define. fun and youthful hues that can easily be applied wet or dry to create looks for day or night.

What I think — This is a gorgeous eye quad. This comes in 6 color combinations, but I have Disco, the purple palette that you see above. It is prettier in person, though. It has a glitter purple, a shimmer fuchsia, a matte burgundy and a pearly off-white. You can make lovely combos with this set.

Available exclusively at Ulta and Ulta.com. Enjoy!

Burt’s Bees new line — güd

Who doesn’t want hair care and bath products that smells good and are natural, too? Awaken your senses with Burt’s Bees new line that focuses on fragrances while continuing to use all natural ingredients (without parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and animal testing).

The products in the range are Nourishing Shampoo, Softening Conditioner, Body Wash, Body Butter, Body Lotion, Body Mist, Foaming Hand Wash and Hand Cream. The lovely scents are Floral Cherrynova, Orange Petalooza, Vanilla Flame and Pearanormal Activity.

Natural Nourishing Shampoo ($6.99, 12oz) This gentle shampoo cleanses hair naturally, for hair that says “touch me.”

Natural Softening Conditioner – ($6.99, 12oz) When you want your hair to behave, reach for this luscious conditioner to whip unruly strands into shape.

I tried these in the Floral Cherrynova. It’s a very bright scent, and very strong. The combo of shampoo and conditioner left my hair soft and manageable. I love that they are natural and affordable. I would try them in different fragrances.

Available at mass market retailers and learn more at www.burtsbees.com.

Mother’s Day Bath and Body Gift Set Guide

Looking for a last minute gift for your mom, or other fab lady in your life? Treat her to a fun bath and body gift set! The sets below smell amazing and take care of your skin by cleansing, scrubbing and/or moisturizing it. So nice!

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Trio ($45.00 USD) — This limited-edition travel set features a delicious, decadent and well-deserved regimen featuring cleanser, moisturizer and fragrance for body.

To use: begin your routine with Crème Body Wash, a creamy lathering body cleanser that will leave the skin feeling smooth and moisturized. Follow with Soufflé Body Crème, an ultra-whipped scented body crème that provides luxurious all-day moisture protection. For long lasting fragrance layer with a delicious spritz of Eau Gourmande. Guilt-free and calorie-free, indulge in Laura Mercier’s Le Petit Patisserie Trio in Fresh Fig or Almond Coconut. I have Fresh Fig and it is insanely delicious smelling!

Available at www.lauramercier.com.

This Mother’s Day, give mom the gift of smooth, nourished and fragrant hands with the L’Occitane Delightful Hands Collection ($28 USD). Pamper Mom with this delightful trio of hydrating and nourishing hand creams and let the senses escape through the delicate fragrance of Peony, the smoothness of Almond and the protection of L’Occitane’s best-selling Shea Butter. The set comes in a beautifully decorated box with a card and ribbon included, making this the perfect gift.

The Collection includes the Pivoine Flora Hand Cream, Shea Butter Hand Cream and Almond Smooth Hands.

L’Occitane products can be purchased at L’Occitane boutiques nationwide or at usa.loccitane.com.

This Yes To Carrots Ultimate Nourishment Kit ($19.99 USD $31.99 value) includes rich, nourishing formulas that soften, moisturize, and reveal oh-so-glowy skin!
Say “Yes” to a kit that indulges your skin with a nourishing, revitalizing treatment that leaves you feeling smooth, soft, and happy.

The kit includes the Super Rich Body Butter, Softening Hand & Elbow Cream, and the Nourishing Shower Gel.

Available at a mass market relaiter near you.

Skinnygirl Margarita Bath Collection ($15 USD) — Cleanse, smooth and moisturize your skin thoroughly with this margarita cocktail-inspired set. Includes body scrub, shower gel and body lotion.

Key Ingredients:

Citric acid – anti-oxidant that promotes the rejuvenation of skin
Flower extract – A soothing, natural ingredient that calms the skin
Honeysuckle – Helps stimulate the removal of toxins to promote vibrant, healthy skin
Mineral Oil – Conditions and hydrates parched skin

You can purchase at www.skinnygirlfaceandbodystore.com

Pacifica Shimmer & Glow Beautiful Body Kit

Dare to go bare! Whether you are preparing to wear a bikini or a strappy gown, Pacifica Shimmer & Glow Kit ($24 USD, a $30 value) has the beautiful-body essentials to get you radiantly ready in minutes. These travel-sized companions are loaded with ultra-nourishing, natural ingredients including coconut oil, tropical extracts, antioxidants, and sea minerals plus the perfect amount of age-defying shimmer and natural, mineral color. You’ll love your skin’s healthy glow and your lips’ sweet sparkle.

Set contains:

Coconut Crushed Pearl Luminizing Body Butter 2 oz. (*NOTE: This product contains Pearl Mica and is vegan.)
Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter 2 oz. (*NOTE: This product contains Pearl Mica and is vegan.)
Kona Coffee and Sugar Detox Whole Body Scrub 3 oz.
Coconut Pearls Luminizing Lip Quench

Available at www.pacificaperfume.com and Sephora stores.

Enjoy!

New Launches From St. Ives

I love finding affordable skincare that is readily available at mass market retailers. I have always enjoyed St. Ives Apricot Scrub, so was excited to try two new products — the Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads and the Naturally Smooth Hand Cream.

NEW St. Ives Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads

· First mass-market brand exfoliating pads with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)

· Exfoliates to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin in just 7 days

· Formulated with 100 percent natural lactic acid

· Available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for $4.99 (suggested retail price)

This is a gentle way to scrub your face. I think it is perfect for women who are a little older and need exfoliation, but cannot not use a harsher scrub. My skin is smooth after use. It smells great, too! Fresh and citrusy. I suggest to use it a few time a week until your skin gets use to it.

NEW St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream

· Exfoliates and improves the appearance of rough, uneven skin in just 7 days

· 100 percent natural moisturizers help it absorb quickly into skin

· Formulated with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)

· Available at Target stores nationwide for $2.99 (suggested retail price)

I am really loving this hand cream. It smells fantastically fruity and smooths hands instantly, making them look much younger! And for $2.99 — what a deal! I would suggest purchasing a bunch of these to keep in your purse, at your desk, on your nightstand. Great price and product.

Enjoy these great deals!

Fight The Powder Event With Mally Roncal On May 8, 2012

Mally Poreless Face Defender Compact with Sponge

Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist and president of Mally Beauty, has one nemesis— translucent powder! It does everything it’s not supposed to—highlights lines and wrinkles, dulls your complexion and leaves you looking lackluster. That’s why she has declared a war against translucent powder and developed a life-changing alternative: Face Defender. A high-performance, completely clear antidote to old-fashioned powder, the revolutionary formula has inspired legions of women to throw away their old compacts and change the way they apply makeup forever.

As the leader of the war on powder, Mally is issuing a battle cry, encouraging women to take a pledge to “Fight the Powder.” Beginning early May, you can take the “Fight The Powder” pledge on Mally Beauty’s Facebook page.

And, if you are going to be in the New York City-area on Tuesday, May 8th, Mally and her “Fight the Powder” squad are encouraging women to take a stand against translucent powder by trading in their old compact for Face Defender. The event is taking place outside of Grand Central Terminal, where Mally and her beauty team will encourage commuters to participate in a makeup trade-up. The first 50 women to take the pledge will receive Mally’s Face Defender ($40 USD).

Here are the details:

What: Fight the Powder with the Mally Beauty Team

When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012: Rush Hour

§ 6:30 am – 9:30 am

§ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

*Rain Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Where: Outside of Grand Central Terminal

I do not live in New York City, so will unable to attend the event. But I have recently received a sample of the product and love it!

The Face Defender is a clear solid product that almost looks like wax. But when patted on the skin with the enclosed sponge (in a compartment under the compact with a mirror), pores and fine lines melt away! Well, not really, but it appears as so. Even the wrinkles under my eyes that are from seasonal allergies smooth out instantly with this product. So nice!

Available for purchase at www.qvc.com and www.mallybeauty.com.

Please let me know if you attend the event. I want to hear all about it!

Enjoy!

New Beauty.Com Gift With Purchase May 2012

This limited edition offering arrives complete with more than a dozen deluxe and full-size samples from some of the leading brands at the Beauty.com® web store* including:

1. Smashbox® Camera Ready BB Cream, SPF 35

2. Arcona® White Tea Purifying Cleanser

3. NUXE™ Fondant Body Scrub

4. Stila® Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer, Taffy

5. Fekkai® Brilliant Glossing Cream

6. tarte® rise & shine natural lip stain & lip-enhancing lipgloss – FULL SIZE

7. DDF® Amplifying Elixir

8. Nick Chavez® Volumizing Shampoo

9. ~H2O+™ Spa Hand and Nail Cream

10. Boscia® Green Tea Blotting Linens

11. bareMinerals® Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for Combination Skin

12. IT Cosmetics® Bye Bye Under Eye – Full Coverage Waterproof Concealer

13. Murad® Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles

14. Card for $5 off any future Beauty.com purchase

About Beauty.com – The World of Beauty Online®

Beauty.com, Inc. is a leading online destination for prestige beauty products. The web store provides a highly personalized shopping experience and offers more than 350 brands from widely recognized to niche, hard-to-find products.

The bag is a Lela Rose creation. Lela Rose’s aesthetic of adding whimsy to elegance through brilliant color and hand crafted details has brought a fresh view to modern American fashion. Lela was raised in Texas and went to school in Colorado where nature, its surrounding landscapes, and the sublime colors it offers have long been an inspiration. Today, Lela continues to draw from these early influences as she designs clothes for the modern sophisticated woman who embodies a spirit of effortless elegance.

I think that this is a great collection of samples (and a really cool makeup bag). I have been dying to try Smashbox’s BB Cream. I may review this once I receive the sample. Also, the Stila eye primer looks promising — I haven’t tried an eye primer in a pot before. And a full-sized tarte lip stain — awesome!

Visit www.beauty.com to purchase. Enjoy!