The Soap and Paper Company combines natural, handmade products with earth-friendly, beautifully designed packaging. What’s cool is that each pattern and fragrance are created together. The website states that, “each fragrance is designed to stimulate the mind, body and spirit. Each pattern starts as a hand drawing often inspired by nature and finished with a modern flare.”
I sampled the fragrances and they are very natural and fresh smelling. Some of my favorites are Fig, it is deep and sexy, Orange Blossom, because it is so fresh and bright, the Green Tea, which is clean and citrusy and the spicy and sultry Geranium.
I also tried the following products:
Solid Perfume ($18.00 USD) — Solid perfumes are so great because they contain soft scent in a great, travel-sized container. You can take it anywhere. This solid perfume contains pure jojoba and beeswax blended with fragrance and does not contain parabens, phthalates, or petrochemicals. Available in Rosewood, Verbena, Orange Blossom, Green Tea, Jasmine, Gardenia and Geranium
Shea Butter Soaps ($9.00 USD) — This bar soap contains shea butter to soften the skin. This is great for the bath or the sink. It is available in Roland Pine, Geranium, Jasmine and Gardenia.
Weleda creates all natural products from plants which are grown in Biodynamic gardens. A great way to try them is with the Pomegranate Body Care Travel Kit ($9.99 USD). This fun little kit includes body care products that are made with organic pomegranate seed oil which contains potent antioxidants that help promote skin renewal and enhance the skin’s vitality and natural radiance.
It includes three products from Weleda’s Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care line to help with aging skin. It claims to have everything that aging skin needs to be completely renewed, revitalized and protected.
CONTENTS:
Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil 0.32 fl OZ (10ml) — helps to protect your skin from free radicals, regulates moisture balance and supports skin renewal.
Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream 0.3 fl OZ (10g) — helps to prevent the formation of age spots, protects your hands from free radicals and helps promote skin renewal.
Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash 0.72 OZ (20g) — invigorates your shower routine with gentle cleansing agents and antioxidant-loaded organic pomegranate seed oil that helps renew your skin.
I love the fresh scent of these products. I always need a hand cream and it is great to have one that I can stick in my purse! And although I don’t have age spots yet, I like to know that there is a natural hand cream that can help prevent them. I also love the creamy body wash and body oil. They are fantastic for my dry, winter skin. Plus, after using the kit for a few days, I have noticed how soft and smooth my skin is!
Visit www.usa.weleda.com to learn more and to purchase the great, natural products!
In November 2009, Shu Uemura launched — and quickly sold out of — a new hair product, Essence Absolue. This product is already so popular because it is touted to restore even the dries of hair.
So, what’s the big deal? This golden essence is infused with Camellia Oil; a highly treasured and coveted, age-old ingredient used by Geishas to make hair soft and shiny. Essence Absolue also claims to moisturize and protect the hair fiber, provides intense nutrition, protects against the sun’s UV rays, and adds shine to the hair.
The website states, “Conscious of the various causes and needs of dry hair, ESSENCE ABSOLUE has been carefully designed as a multi-use elixir, repairing dry hair on an individual basis in the following ways:
1- Intensely hydrating leave-in conditioner for very dry/damaged hair
2- Pre-shampoo treatment for deep, nourishing care
3- Protection during color application, adding shine, moisture and elasticity to processed lengths & ends
4- Use in summer time as protective oil against the sun’s harmful rays (UV filter)
5- Ultra-shine finisher along lengths and ends
I have used this as a pre-shampoo treatment by adding a few drops to my wet hair before shampoo. I also use it as a leave in and a finisher to my dry ends. I have noticed that my hair is shinier, more manageable and has less flyaways in the dry air. I am looking forward to trying this in the humid Kansas City summer — I think it will make all the difference on my frizzy hair!
Although this product is pricey, it does what it claims. My hair is soft and shiny and smells fantastic. I highly recommend Essence Absolue!
Need a little help with your skin this Winter? Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque ($43.00 USD) is touted to help environmentally damaged, irritated and hypersensitive skin.
This effects from this mask are described as “Super-concentrated antioxidant vitamins and botanicals dramatically reduce the inflammation and redness associated with stressed, prematurely aging skin. Antioxidant Vitamins A and C help promote collagen and elastin production for increased suppleness.”
I have used this mask 3 times in as many weeks. I smooth it on my skin and leave it on for 15 or 20 minutes then rinse it off. Afterwards, my skin is SO soft, dewy and the redness on my cheeks and around my nose is lessened. Plus, the more I have used it, the better my skin looks.
I highly recommend this anti-aging treatment, it’s quite a help in the cold, dry winter!
TIGI — an expert in luxury hair care — has recently released the new line Catwalk Your Highness Volume Collection. This collection is designed to give hair of all lengths and textures long-lasting, voluminous style. This collection is based on an innovative Prep It/ Work It / Perfect It with three sections to build on piece by piece. TIGI states that, “The dynamic style building system ensures a flawless finish every time to re-create high-fashion runway looks with six new products designed to give lavish lift and remarkable volume.” Here is TIGI’s description of the system:
PREP IT/ The first part of any regimen, these products cleanse, condition, nourish and prepare hair for styling.
YOUR HIGHNESS™ ELEVATING SHAMPOO/ For Body and Movement – $19.95/10.14 OZ — This decadent sulfate-free formula imparts a fresh, lightweight finish and protects hair from sun and heat as it sooths and calms the scalp and adds volume and thickness. A Sandalwood Vanilla Cashmere fragrance enraptures the senses while undertones of White Chocolate, Star Jasmine, Lychee and Kiwi add a modern flare to this sophisticated scent.
YOUR HIGHNESS™ NOURISHING CONDITIONER/ To Create Fullness and Shine – $19.95/8.45 OZ — Lavender, Wisteria, Jasmine and Violet hug each strand of hair with weightless nourishment and shine. Hair is left soft, full of body and delicious to the touch while the scalp is left soothed and balanced. The superior formula decreases static for the perfect canvas to achieve remarkable volume. The sensual scent of Sandalwood Vanilla Cashmere enraptures the senses while undertones of White Chocolate, Star Jasmine, Lychee and Kiwi add a modern flare to this sophisticated fragrance. WORK IT/ These products are meant to be worked through wet hair and then styled to achieve the desired look. YOUR HIGHNESS™ THICKENING GEL CRÈME/ For Luminescent Fuller Hair – $16.95/7.27 FL OZ — This formula will promote impeccable fullness with amazing manageability and shine. A blend of Jasmine, Violet and UV filters help protect your hair while making it feel thicker and healthier. Adds body and volume as it detangles and fights frizz. The captivating fragrance of Rare Blackberry Silk mixed with floral nuances of Jasmine and Muguet and a touch of Creamy Vanilla make for an irresistible ultra-sexy scent you can’t get enough of. YOUR HIGHNESS™ ROOT BOOST® SPRAY MOUSSE/ For Lift and Texture – $14.95/8.1 FL OZ — Magnificent volume starts at the roots. This fine mist foam delivers the lift and support essential for a long-lasting, dramatic style. Adds maximum lift without heaviness and features a fresh, floral Pear Lily Chiffon fusion scent with bold classic notes of fruit and flower combined with a hint of Musk for an elegant, clean fragrance.
PERFECT IT/ These products are the final embellishment to enhance and hold any style. YOUR HIGHNESS™ WEIGHTLESS SHINE SPRAY/ For Illuminating Fullness – $19.95/5.15 OZ — The finishing touch for any voluminous style is healthy shine. This practically weightless spray eliminates frizz while adding luminous shine. Notes of Bergamot Vanilla Satin cooled with a splash of citrus and woody undertones give this fragrance a playful feminine feel.
YOUR HIGHNESS™ FIRM HOLD HAIRSPRAY/ For a Form-Fitting Style – $20.95/9 OZ — The sheer, form-fitting finish keeps your style in place while it fights frizz. Botanicals of Violet, Jasmine, Lavender and Wisteria, along with a UV barrier help protect hair “on location” and throughout the seasons. A floral blend of Citrus Blossom Organza spiked with juicy notes of Peach and Apple fuse with Jasmine and Violet for a light, energizing fragrance that lingers all day.
I have tested the Weightless Shine Spray and the Firm Hold Hairspray. Like all TIGI products, the fragrances are fantastic. The shine spray gives my hair needed shine in the winter, when the cold air dulls it. I then like to spray the hairspray on my roots first, then all over for lift as well as hold. With these two final steps, whether I have straightened my hair or kept it wavy, I have a full, shiny ‘do that lasts all day!
You can purchase these products at beauty supply stores or visit www.tigistore.com.
Target is one of my favorite places to shop because you can find just about everything there. And with the emergence of luxury makeup such as JK Jemma Kidd at Target, a beauty junkie like myself is in Heaven!
When I dress up for New Year’s Eve, I am always thinking about my makeup. You need the right makeup for the right outfit and situation. JK Jemma Kidd has recently introduced a fun little palette that includes the right products for a smoky eye and dewy face and lips. It is called the Strike a Pose Swivel Palette ($32.00 USD).
This cool little Palette includes four metallic shadows in shades of gun-metal, bronze, mocha and taupe. They are very shimmery and very gorgeous. You also get a rosy cream blush and a cream highlighter as well as a pretty peachy-pink lip gloss.
You can make so many pretty looks with this palette. I like to add the highlighter everywhere — my under my eyebrows, my cheekbones, down the center of my nose to slime, the inner corner of my eye, and on my lips over the gloss for extra shine. The gun-metal or bronze shadows make great eyeliners and the mocha is pretty over the lid. The blush blends easily and can be also used as an eyeshadow. Fun!
Use this with other JK Jemma Kidd product such as the I-Conic Eyes Brow Pencil ($16.00 USD), the I-Conic Eyes Pencil Liner ($14.00 USD and both with sharpeners in the lids) and the Ultra-Plush Volumizing Mascara ($15.00 USD) to complete your party look.
Visit www.target.com to learn more and to purchase these fabulous products!
The Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Black Smoke is a part of the new Blacker Than Black collection that includes six of their most popular mascaras in the deepest jet black.
To compliment the mascaras, the eye shadow quad is equally as dramatic. These shadows not only look great but are made of microfine powder which is touted not to crease and to blend seamlessly.
I know what you’re thinking, there are tons of smoky eye palettes on the market, why purchase this one? Well, besides the quality of an Estee Lauder product — the shadows are silky and well-pigmented — the shades of the palette are very pretty. It includes a sparkly black with pink sparkles, a medium matte gray, a lighter, shimmery gray and a stark white with a touch of shimmer.
The traditional smoky eye — darker on the lid and lighter going towards the eyebrow — is fun, but I like to mix it up a little. A really fun look is to put the black on the lid and line the eyes in the shimmery gray. The grays are great lid colors as well and mixing the white in will lighten them up.
Visit www.esteelauder.com to learn more about this palette and to purchase. Enjoy!
beautyADDICTS has the right idea. They have four makeup collections: Glow (icy pinks and lavenders), Express (buff, cream and bronze), Motivate (berry, plum and pink) and Seduce (silver, black and ruby). Each collection includes eye shadow and lip gloss quads, blush and shimmer duos and an eye pencil, lip pencils and lipsticks.
I think the Express Collection ($169.00 USD for whole collection shown above) is especially nice for a polished, every day look. I love the eye shadow quad ($35.00 USD). These silky, luxurious shadows go on smooth and stay on all day. It includes a matte off-white for highlighting, a shimmery rose gold for the lid, a shimmery bronze for contour and a matte espresso for lining.
I also love the lip gloss quads ($28.00) in shades ranging from buff to deep bronze. The glosses are smooth, not sticky and you can blend them together for the perfect shade.
So if you are looking for a new quality makeup look for 2010, try beautyADDICTS. Visit www.beautyaddicts.com to purchase these fantastic products. Enjoy!
McBride Beauty believes in “beauty from the inside out”. This natural skincare company’s products do not contain sulfates, parabens, harsh chemicals, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances and they do not test on animals. The founder of McBride Beauty — Bronx-born, Brooklyn-based Wini Burkeman — has a passion for balancing purity and remedy in skincare products.
I was lucky enough to try some of McBride Beauty’s fabulous products (I do love natural beauty)! These are the items I tested:
Soy & Coconut Cleansing Bar (2 bars for $12.00 USD) – This mild-smelling, gentle soap lathers nicely and is safe for face and body. I tried it on my face and it even took my mascara off — but still left my skin soft! The natural ingredients are Soybean Protein, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, and Glycerin.
Face & Body Multi-Purpose Repair Stick ($15.00 USD) – This is formulated for the entire family including sensitive baby-soft skin. It is touted to help heal dry lips, skin abrasions, insect bites, dry patches, windburn and discomfort from harsh elements or smooth ragged cuticles and brittle split ends. I have been using this on my lips and cuticles, but I tried it on my 6-year-old daughter who gets very chapped lips, and her lips were much better in a couple of days. I felt safe putting this product on my little one — which is hard to find in beauty products! The ingredients include Neem Oil, Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter, Meadowfoam Oil and Rosemary Oil.
Face & Body Instant Rescue Balm ($25.00 USD) – This thick but non-greasy balm has the texture of a thick butter. It is “a head-to-heal deep moisturizer designed to repair dry skin on the face, elbows, hands, knees and heels. It’s key actives have also been used therapeutically to help prevent and minimize psoriasis, deep wrinkles and stretch marks. Safe enough to use on little ones with extremely dry skin too.” My teenager with eczema has tried this and likes that it doesn’t irritate her skin. I love the lavender scent and find that it helps my dry hands and feet. I like to smooth it on my feet at night and cover them with socks. In the morning, they are much smoother. Ingredients include Organic Lavender, Aloe Leaf Juice, Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Neem Oil and Rosehip Oil.
To Learn more and to purchase this fab products, visit www.mcbridebeauty.com. Enjoy!
Always looking for effective skincare that will help me look younger, I’ve tested a couple of products from the new Skin Nutrition Nutrissentials range. Their websites states, “the Nutrissentials range of products is a unique, highly bioactive range of skin care products that are naturally clean and utilize patent – pending nano-encapsulated nutritional extracts such as super-berries, plankton derived omega 3, fruit & seed oils, and spinach for its high bio-available mineral content. Also included is a super-hybrid lipid soluble vitamin C, which is more than 50 times more effective than ascorbic acid (regular vitamin C), as well as highly bio-available forms of amino acids and other phyto-active botanical extracts.”
What does that mean for the skin? The claim is that these ingredients will work well with the body’s natural biological processes will help reduce cellular inflammation, flush out toxins, and regeneration cells. This process should slow down the premature aging process and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making skin appear younger and healthier.
I tried the:
Complexion Revitalizing Serum ($70.00 USD) — I have been using this on clean skin before moisturizer twice a day for at least a month. This clear, thick serum smells amazing and only takes a couple of minutes to sink into the skin. I think that it instantly smooths my skin and gives me a glow. I have noticed that my skin seems clearer and smoother lately, and I am looking pretty young!
Moisturizer ($70.00 USD) — I follow the serum with this moisturizer. It comes out of the tube thick, but smooths on easily and you can apply makeup in just a few minutes. I have been using it day and night, and I think it works well for both times of the day. It is thick and rich, but not greasy at all! It leaves the skin soft, with an almost matte finish.
I haven’t broken out while using these products, which is a plus. I think they are a luxury that is worth the price! Visit www.skinnutrition.com to learn more and to purchase these fab skincare products!
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 