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Holiday Gift Sets From It Cosmetics

It Cosmetics — the masters of makeup magic — have created 2 fabulous gift sets in time for the holiday. They are:

My Youthful Smile Gift Set ($39.00 USD, a $98.00 value) — Three full size My Youthful Smiles Dual Smile Brightening Gloss & Smile-Line Wrinkle Fill, come in a beautiful gift box with a tag. You get one gloss in each color:

Signature Blue — Goes on clear

Pretty Woman — Pretty Pink

Kiss Me Now — Rich Red Berry

This innovative gloss is the winner of the 2009 Cosmetic Innovator of the Year Award! My Youthful Smile has Smile Line Wrinkle Fill creme with collagen and antioxidants on one end to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth – and Smile Brightening Lip Plumping Collagen Gloss on the other end with blue based pigments specially designed to counteract the yellow in your teeth and make your smile whiter instantly! This is a really great gloss that does double duty and is perfect for women whose lips are showing their age. I love the plumpness and the shine I get from it.

Nail Love Gift Set ($29.00 USD, $43.50 value)) — Three Full Size Nail Love™ Nail and Cuticle Treatment Pens. Nail and Cuticle Treatment Pen: Treat and condition cuticles and strengthen nails with hydrolyzed collagen – plus this exclusive formula has an anti-yellowing complex! Combine that with the healing eucalyptus leaf oil, nourishing jojoba and sweet almond oil, and power anti-oxidant and Vitamin B5 complex. I love the luxurious feel that you get from this product. Also the other end of the applicator has a soft tapered end that can be used to push cuticles back. This product and a good buffer can lead to natural and beautiful nails without polish!

Visit www.itcosmetics.com to learn more and purchase these and other great gift ideas for the woman who wants a polished look. Enjoy!

Benefit Cosmetics Glitz, Glam & Gloss

: Glitz Glam & Gloss

Know a girl who loves lip glosses? Well, who doesn’t! Glosses are the perfect lip wear, pretty on younger women and make the older ladies (me…maybe) look youthful and fresh. A win-win all around!

Benefit Cosmetics has released the Glitz, Glam & Gloss collection ($26.00 USD) just in time for holiday gift giving. I love that in three tubes you get 6 colors — something for every occasion. The colors are:

friends in high places (sparkling raspberry)

kiss you (clear fuchsia)

almost famous (copper penny)

zone out (golden nude)

i’m with the band (golden pink shimmer)

fresh-squeezed (pink grapefruit)

Benefit makes a beautiful Shimmering gloss that glides on smooth without being too sticky and it has a cool tapered applicator, to get all of the curves of the lips. I am loving glosses with gold lately, so I’m with the band is gorgeous as is golden nude — lovely over a dark plum or red lipstick! VERY festive.

You can find these glosses online at www.benefitcosmetics.com, or stop into Sephora and pick them up for all of your girlfriends!

Pur Minerals Holiday 2009

Holiday Trend Alert: Want beautiful party makeup that’s simple but packs a punch! Pur Minerals has gorgeous and good-for-you makeup for a classic look — cherry-red lips, shimmery neutrals on the eyes and warm, flushed cheeks. To get the look, line your lips with Mineral Lip Pencil with Brush ($16.50 USD) in Ruby and fill in with Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick ($15.00 USD) in Red Ruby. For extra shine, apply Pür Balm ($16.50 USD). Next, dust your eyelids with Pressed Mineral Shadows($13.00 USD each) in Champagne Citrine and Gold Dust to give eyes a subtle sparkle. Line your lids with Mineral Eye Defining Pencil in Chocolate Mica ($16.50 USD) for extra definition. Finally, apply Universal Marble Powder in Spice ($22.50 USD) for perfectly flushed cheeks.

These products are all beautiful. I tested the lip liner, lipstick and shadows. I think the lip brush on the pencil is brilliant, you can blend your lips after applying pencil so that the line won’t be harsh, or use the brush with the lipstick or a gloss. The lipstick is very moisturizing and is a beautiful red. My favorite products were the shimmery shadows. They are soft, but really make the eyes stand out, because of the shimmer. Wear them with lots of black mascara and the eyes will stand out as much as your ruby-red lips!

Visit www.purminerals.com to purchase these and other products. They have great gift sets, too, such as a 5 Piece Lucite brush set, eye shadow collections and palettes and lipstick collections — plus many of the holiday items are buy one get one free! Enjoy!

Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Pout Holiday Lip Gloss Set

A lip gloss set is the perfect gift for girlfriends, sisters, moms, because there usually is such a range of colors to try, it’s so much fun to receive!

Smashbox has introduced WISH For The Perfect Pout($29.00 USD, $96.00 Value) for the holidays. This limited-edition set of 6 lip glosses that contains best sellers and exclusive holiday shades. There are two full-size lip glosses and four smaller ones.

This set contains:
– 0.20 oz Pout (baby doll pink)
– 0.20 oz Luster (sheer golden pink)
– 0.14 oz Tease (juicy raspberry)
– 0.14 oz Candy (cotton candy pink)
– 0.14 oz Aura (shimmering pink nude)
– 0.14 oz Radiant (shimmering pink plum)

This set has really pretty colors. I love the Aura and Radiant shades and the luster looks great over bold lipsticks. These are a tiny bit sticky, but are so glossy and fun, it doesn’t matter!

Plus, with every WISH purchase, $1 will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit that grants the wish of life to millions of sick or injured kids by providing care and investing in life-saving research. Help Smashbox make miracles happen this holiday. (Donation up to $25,000)

Visit www.smashbox.com to learn more about these products and to purchase fun holiday gifts!

Give The Gift of Too Faced This Holiday Season

Too Faced is that rare type of makeup company that makes products that are a combination of coolness — colors, packaging, even the product names — and really good quality everyday (and special occasion) cosmetics.

On of my favorite Too Faced products is the Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer ($30.00 USD). It is a makeup primer scientifically formulated to achieve the look of flawless skin without makeup. I don’t usually wear primer unless I really love how it makes my face look and feel. This primer has a nude tone that melts into the skin, so ladies with all skin shades can wear it. It includes Vitamins A & C, Mulberry extract, and a powerful dose of Retinol to make pores appear smaller and hydrate skin.

I like wearing Primed & Poreless with just a little concealer and powder, because on its own, my face looks smoother and I don’t need full makeup. But, it would work well with liquid or powder foundation.

LASHLIGHT ($25.00 USD) — is an innovative mascara formula containing millions of microscopic mirrors that bounce light off lashes for a super-glossy, jet-black finish with an exclusive light up wand to spotlight each lash for the most precise application possible. Cool huh? LASHLIGHT is “formulated to thicken, lengthen, and condition while coating lashes with the glossiest of jet-black finishes to make eyes look brighter, whiter, and camera ready. A combination of Panthenol and Vitamins C and E keep lashes healthy and Red Algae increases Keratin resistance for maximum lash flexibility.”

I like this mascara, but don’t love it. It does make my lashes longer and thicker, but it clumps a bit and I have to work at it to get the clumps out. I do love the light and the mirror on the side of the tube — great for nightclub touch-ups!
Glamour Revolution ($39.50 USD $100 Value) is a limited-edition makeup book that includes everything a to keep you beautiful this holiday season!

This set contains:
– Milk Chocolate Single Eyeshadow
– George & Weezie Single Eyeshadow
– Boy Toy Single Eyeshadow
– Label Whore Single Eyeshadow
– London Calling Single Eyeshadow
– Glamazon Single Eyeshadow
– Dirt Bag Single Eyeshadow
– Party Girl Single Eyeshadow
– Neptune Single Eyeshadow
– 3 Lip Glosses
– Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
– Brightening Blush in La Vie En Rose
– Shadow Insurance (colorless application)

What can I say? This is a fab kit that has everything you need to look stunning! I love the blush and bronzer — pretty together, and the eyeshadows and lip glosses include enough colors to make everyone happy!

Visit www.toofaced.com to purchase. You can also find Too Faced at Sephora and Ulta. Enjoy!

ecoTOOLS by Alica Silverstone’s Great New Makeup Bags

ecoTOOLS, the creator of my favorite makeup brushes, has collaborated with actress and environmental activist Alicia Silverstone to produce a brand-new cosmetic bag collection, ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone.

This collection is launching this month, December 2009, at Walgreens and Target stores. The line includes a complete set of five cosmetic bags, ranging from a brush bag with a brush set to an overnight bag. Each bag is produced with a natural hemp material and uses a recycled PET lining.

The description of each product follows:

ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone 5 Piece Brush Set and Bag ($15.99 USD): This limited edition brush set and bag features four of Alicia’s must-have brushes and directions to help you create her natural look. One of Alicia’s favorite brushes is the Finishing Brush, a feathery soft brush that gives a flawless finish. Also included in the set are the ecoTOOLS™ Blush Brush, Angled Eye Shadow Brush, and Lash & Brow Groomer. The packaging of the set is made from 30% post-consumer recycled content.

ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone Cosmetic Brush Bag ($12.99 USD): Perfect for tossing in a purse for touch-ups throughout the day, this cosmetic brush bag also contains a limited edition blush brush. It is large enough for additional cosmetic storage and has a separate compartment for your brushes in order to keep them clean. A great addition to the collection, the brush bag and brush will carry you from day to night, seamlessly.

ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone Train Case ($14.99 USD): Designed with convenience in mind, the Train Case has a handy zip top, allowing for easy access and organization. With a clear removable compartment inside, you can keep organized anywhere — whether you’re on vacation, or sitting at your own vanity!

ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone Overnight Bag ($19.99 USD): This large bag is sturdy and durable and features easy-to-grip handles that make it ideal for travel. The two interior compartments are removable and versatile to help keep contents clean and tidy.

ecoTOOLS™ by Alicia Silverstone Cosmetic Bag ($8.99 USD): A staple in any makeup bag collection, this compact case is perfectly sized to fit all the essentials, and is great for the girl-on-the-go. The feminine floral design stands out in any handbag, making it easy to find for quick touch ups.

These bags are all very pretty and the lining makes them durable and luxurious at the same time. Just because these are made of natural and recycled materials, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t fabulous: like everything else ecoTOOLS makes, they are! And the prices are right for giving and receiving. I am using the Train case to store my makeup in my bedroom and it is as pretty as it is functional!

Visit www.eco-tools.com for a full list of retailers and products.

Fab Holiday Sets from Urban Decay

Urban Decay always releases really cool holiday makeup sets, and this year is no exception! I’ve sampled a few of the sets and I think that all of the products aren’t only fun, but they are quality cosmetics that really last. Some of my favorite sets are:

24/7 Sets — do you like Urban Decays long-lasting eye liner? You will love the new 24/7 Sets ($29.00). These each include an exclusive shade of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, 3 best-sellers, and a Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner. The sets are:

Hi-Fi : new shade, Mildew, a deep green inspired by one of their best-selling eye shadows and exclusive to this set. Also included are Zero (black), Flipside (teal) and 1999 (plum), and Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Distortion, an iridescent sparkle.

Stereophonic: new shade, Crash, a rich eggplant inspired by another eye shadows and exclusive to this set. Also included are Zero (black), Underground (metallic taupe) and Gunmetal (like it sounds!), and Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy, a beige sparkler.

I love how creamy and blendable these liners are. Long gone are the old days of heating your liner with a lighter to get it soft! And once it sets, it stays on. The set is cool because not only do you get Zero, a great black, you get to try other shades as well. Plus the glitter liner is great for a night on the town!

Smoke Out Kit ($34.00 USD) — I realize how daunting creating a smoky eye can be. It is not an ever day look that we are used to doing. This fab kit not only gives you all of the tools that you need, but step-by-step instructions and a face chart, too!

Included in the kit are 4 shadows, a shadow brush, travel size versions of 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero (black), and new Skyscraper Mascara. Adorned with exotic wisps of smoke, the kits feature a swiveling mirror and swinging layers, kept shut with magnets.

Remember that smoky eyes don’t have to be black! The kit comes in 3 palettes; black/grey, plus brown and deep green kits. And I LOVE the Skyscraper Mascara. True to its name, you get very long lashes with this mascara. But, they are also very thick, as well. I had a lot of fun playing with the looks with the instructions. You can vary the intensity of the smoky eye, which is great!

Show Pony Shadow Box ($30.00 USD) Is a fun shadow kit that includes a primer and liner for great eye looks! Urban Decay chose Kime Buzzelli, darling of the LA art scene, to illustrate this amazing Shadow Box inside and out. Kime’s paintings feature wickedly fashionable women… often with brightly colored makeup running down their cheeks. Inspired by these characters, Urban Decay has filled this palette with 6 shadows… all totally wearable, and 2 exclusive to this set: Snatch (peachy-pink with glitter) and Painkiller (turquoise shimmer).

This is the first time I have tried the Primer Potion. It is such a great idea, since shadow never seems to stay on all day. The primer potion goes on creamy, not greasy and seems to help shadow stay put.

Visit www.urbandecay.com to learn about these kits and more.

Tame Your Tresses With Moroccanoil Hair Products

Argan oil is the hair ingredient of the moment. It is touted to deep moisturize hair and leave it frizz free. I have tried a few different products with Argan oil, but my favorite so far is Moroccanoil. Moroccanoil formulas claim to be, “exclusive, innovative and revolutionary, and are renowned among top professional stylists for their lightweight, natural‐looking results and the unique way they instantly absorb into the hair without residue. They also offer the rare benefit of strengthening and reconditioning the hair strand while adding lustrous shine, and a polished frizz‐free and static‐free finish.”

A powerful antioxidant and UV protector, Moroccanoil®’s proprietary Argan oil blend is rich in vitamins and natural elements that fortify the hair, including Vitamin F (Omega 6), Vitamin A to improve elasticity, Vitamin E to protect against free‐radicals, and Phenols to shield against environmental stressors. The Argan oil is harvested under a free trade program which provides substantial socioeconomic support to thousands of families in the Souss‐Massa region of Morocco. Revenue from this project provides income to families and helps improve the working conditions of rural women.

The products I tried (and their descriptions are:

Moroccanoil® Treatment ($39.00 / 3.4 fl. oz) is a new type of weightless finishing, styling and shine product in one, which protects against UV damage and other environmental hazards. Moroccanoil Treatment’s patented Argan Oil‐based formula is rich in Vitamins A, E and F (Omega 6), as well as phenols and tocopherols to nourish the hair and scalp, promote healing and repair & relieve dry, itchy conditions. It absorbs into the hair instantly, leaving a natural, silky finish and brilliant shine. Moroccanoil Treatment also softens thick unmanageable hair, restores dull lifeless locks and helps brittle hair become more supple.

Moroccanoil® Intense Hydrating Mask ($31.00 / 8.5 fl. oz.) is intensive care for stressed hair. No heat required. A rinse‐out, deep conditioning treatment that treats hair with moisture and protein, adding shine and elasticity. Used weekly, this highly effective mask revitalizes the hair, restoring shine and manageability.

Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream ($30.00 / 10.2 fl. oz.) is a leave‐in styling cream formulated to eliminate frizz, condition and hydrate, while adding definition and brilliant shine to all hair types. It provides soft hold and creates an ideal texture for styling.

Moroccanoil® Glimmer Shine Spray ($24.00 USD / 3.4 fl. oz.) is an invisible veil of pure luminous shine infused with Argan oil to protect hair from the damaging effects of UV rays and free radicals. It creates a smooth radiant finish, while strengthening the hair.

My hair is thin and dry and it can get very frizzy. My favorite product is the original Moroccanoil. After I wash my hair, I pour a little of it in my hands, rub my hands together, than smooth it on my hair. I also apply a little more on my dry hair, and my hair stays soft and shiny all day. I also want to try using it on my hair before coloring it. The oil is supposed to keep the hair shiny after coloring and the color may last longer. Cool!

I also loved the hydrating mask. I have to deep condition my hair a lot, to keep it soft and this one does the trick! The styling cream works wonders on my 10-year-old daughter’s thick, thick hair and the shine spray is fun for a little extra glimmer!

Visit www.moroccanoil.com to find a salon near you.

Skincare by Anastasia Beverly Hills

I love Anastasia Soare’s eyebrow product. The stencils, tweezers, powders and gels make it easy to have professional looking brows by doing them yourself. After making brows a priority (they do frame the face), Anastasia is launching a skincare line on December 26, 2009.

Anastasia returned to her native Romanian roots to discover healthy products that naturally improve the texture, tone and appearance of skin. She developed Balkan Botanical™ Infusion, a blend of rare plant and herb extracts found only in the rich soils of Romania. A few of these ingredients are Marshmallow Leaf, Lemon Balm Leaf, Bilberry, and Green Tea, which combine to soothe and restore the skin’s natural radiance. The result is a long-lasting and more youthful appearance!

The three “hero” products from the new skincare line are:

Line Erasing Serum ($45.00 USD) – This is a product I have reviewed a couple of months ago. This refreshing serum claims to help crows feet and lift the eyes. This lightweight serum contains a unique blend of natural hydrators, Instalift Goji, and Anastasia’s exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion. Check out my full review at https://fortyflirtyfabulous.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/anastasia-line-erasing-serum/.

Sheer Moisture Crème SPF 30 ($40.00) – I love this very light SPF 30 day cream. It is fragrance-free and designed to soften the skin while providing protection against broad-spectrum UVA/UVB rays and free radicals that can cause signs of aging. The cream contains hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and natural oils. I used it morning and night and it smooths and soaks into the skin; it is never greasy, which is a plus in the morning before makeup application. I have noticed that my skin is very smooth and radiant while using these products.

Hydrating Oil ($40.00) — is an unusual product; an aromatic and hydrating oil that soothes the skin and the senses! This product is specifically designed for absorption and hydration. It claims to soften and brighten the skin. The silicone and oils are infused together so there is no separation, allowing the oil to completely absorb into the skin. I love the herbal scent, but it is a bit too oily for my combination skin. For someone with dry, winter skin, this is a perfect treatment to keep skin hydrated.

Remember this fab line is launching December 26, 2009. Visit www.anastasia.net to find out more when the time comes.

LipFusion Holiday 2009 Mini Lip Gloss Set

The LipFusion Holiday Mini Lip Gloss set is not only a fun gift, it’s an excellent way to plump lips to make them appear younger. I love the LipFusion glosses because you get plump without pain.

The claim is: The revolutionary patented LipFusion® technology delivers active collagen into lip tissue painlessly and instantly. The patented LipFusion® delivery system dehydrates the collagen molecule into tiny microspheres that can absorb easily into lip tissue, then search for the body’s natural water to re-hydrate up to 50 times their size, creating a beautiful, full-out pout. Unlike other products in the marketplace that claim to enhance lips, LipFusion® does not contain menthol, caffeine, cinnamon or other irritants that only cause the lip mucous to temporarily swell.

The LipFusion® Holiday Collection features six minis of LipFusion® Micro Collagen Lip Plump Color Shines. The collection combines LipFusion’s® three newest shades Crave, Goddess and Boca Babe and three original and best sellers Clear, Bare and Blush. This limited edition collection sells for $39.

Lip Fusion Holiday Mini Collection includes six sexy day-to-evening shades:

Crave: Flushed pink

Goddess: Decadent golden bronze

Boca Babe: Juicy tangerine

Clear: Subtle shine

Bare: Natural healthy nude

Blush: Subtle and luminescent baby pink

For best results, simply apply an even layer of LipFusion® over the top and bottom lip and allow the formula to penetrate for 2-3 minutes. You’ll experience naturally luscious, full and kissable lips for up to 24 hours. For maximum plumping, combine with LipFusion® Lip Plumping Pencils, and use LipFusion® XL as an intensive nighttime treatment (which I use every night and LOVE).

You can purchase the collection at Sephora, Ulta, Dillards, Beauty.com, Skinstore.com and HSN.com in the US and Sephora in Canada. Enjoy!