Beauty Tools – Page 8 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Make Your Hair Fabulous With The Instyler

Yay! I was finally able to try the Instyler Rotating Hot Iron Hair Straightener ($99.99). This tool is quite different then other hair straighteners and curling irons that I’ve tried. The InStyler Iron Hair Straightener can straightens, flips, and curl the hair and it is exciting to own such a multi-tasking product!

Here is the claim from the website: “When you run the InStyler® rotating hot iron through your hair, the first set of bristles gently sort and separate your hair strands. Then the rotating heated polishing cylinder gently glides over your hair, smoothly polishing, straightening, and styling each strand. Finally, the second set of bristles puts the finishing touch on your hair, leaving you with shiny, silky, hair! It’s truly amazing!

And the best part is, because of the InStyler® rotating hot iron’s patented design, your hair won’t get smashed and baked by the super-intense heat of a flat iron or other “hot” tools. In fact, the InStyler® rotating hot iron uses less heat than traditional hot tools, and delivers better results. How? Because the InStyler® rotating hot iron’s gentle heat in conjunction with the rotating motion of the polishing cylinder literally polishes your hair strands individually so it doesn’t need extreme heat to get amazing results.

Plus, the InStyler® rotating hot iron does so much more than any styling tool out there. Get lift and fullness – right from the root! Get a sexy flip in seconds. Straighten even the toughest, most coarse hair – and still get fullness and style without the stick-straight “flatness” of a flat iron. Do a full style in 8 minutes… and change it again in two minutes! Wrap your hair around the rotating polishing cylinder – and get an amazing curl that lasts all day!”

Awesome, right? Well — yes. The Instyler is super easy to use. I just take a section of my hair and hold the Instyler brush side on top and the brush smooths the hair while the cylinder rotates and applies heat. To make waves or curls, just rap hair around the cylinder, allow a few rotations, and release. Super cute!

My hair is wavy, but fairly thin. Of the three settings, I use the lowest one. I started using the highest setting, thinking my wavy hair needed it — but it fried my hair. The medium setting worked, but didn’t leave my hair shiny. So like baby bear, I used the smallest — I mean lowest — setting. And voila! My hair was straight and shiny! And curls stay longer, too. I would suggest experimenting with the settings, but only use the highest setting if you have very course or curly hair.

Visit www.getinstyler.com to learn more and to purchase. It is also available at many retailers. Have fun!

Make Your Hands and Feet Perfect For Summer with Ms. Manicure and Ms. Pedicure

Need to buff and file your hands and toes to perfection this summer? Try one of these great and affordable kits by Ms. Manicure and Ms. Pedicure:

Handy Dandy Mani ($9.99). Talk about a perfectly polished manicure at a practical price! The Ms. Manicure Handy Dandy Mani set includes salon-worthy tools to make your nails look professionally done at home. With Cuticle Nippers, Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Wood Cuticle Sticks, Nail Brush, Washable Salon Board, 4-Way Nail Buffer, and Slant Tip Tweezers, this beauty bag contains all the nail necessities.

Tips and Toes ($7.99) has what you need for nails and feet. As we bare more skin in the summer season, our hands and feet are more noticable. The set includes Wood Cuticle Sticks, Nail Brush, Cuticle Pusher, Cuticle Trimmer, and Washable Salon Board to cleans and cares for cuticles and nails to prep for polish like a pro. Plus, Tips & Toes doubles as a pedicure performer, with a Pumice Stone, Toenail Clipper, and Toe Separators. .

Best In Toe ($3.49) restores your tootsies after being cooped up in closed-toed shoes. This compact, yet all-inclusive, set contains the best basics for a polished, professional, and perfectly presentable pedi– all at the fraction of a cost of a salon! Filled with do-it-yourself essentials, such as Toenail Clipper, Mini Salon Board, Nail Brush, Pumice, Wood Cuticle Sticks and Comfort Toe Separators, this pedicure-in-a-package is perfect.

For a list of retailers visit www.msmanicure.com and www.mspedicure.com.

Japonesque Ergo-Grip Eyelash Curler

I am a regular user of eyelash curlers. I have to use them or no one will see my short stubbly lashes — even with mascara.

I was excited to try the Japonesque Ergo-Grip Eyelash Curler ($13.50 USD) because up to this point, I have only used drugstore brands. Also, I love trying new beauty tools.

The Japonesque website describes the curler as:

“Designed with the professional makeup artist in mind, the JAPONESQUE® Ergo-Grip Eyelash Curler creates a sweeping, eye opening curl with ease. The unique handle is designed to be gripped in a variety of ways for control and comfort. The smooth grip action and ergonomic handle makes the curler comfortable in hand, even for extended use. The longer curl surface and rounded silicone pad produces a true, soft curl. The grip-locking device maintains tension while curler is not in use.”

This curler is different than others I have used in that the opening is not very wide. I have had to practice to get a good curl, but I have figured it out. And I do like the handle, it is very comfortable. I’m okay with my drugstore curler, but if you want to try something different, check this one out!

Visit www.japonesque.com to learn more about this curler and more products by Japonesque.

Fab New Products and Tips from ecoTOOLS

ecoTOOLS, my favorite makeup brush brand, is introducing brand-new brushes this February. Plus, they have teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf to bring products and pointers needed to create a professionally pretty face. On February 1, ecoTOOLS officially launches four instructional videos on www.eco-tools.com so women everywhere can redefine and re-tool to become a total beauty know-it-all. The instructional videos offer tutorials for the following looks:

A cunning cat-eye (http://bit.ly/6YbhaA)
A flawless face (http://bit.ly/7tAOpQ)
A sultry smoky eye (http://bit.ly/6RSnR5)
A touched-up face for day to night (http://bit.ly/5wEmqw)

Their cool new tools to help achieve these looks are the ecoTOOLS 6 Piece Eye Brush Set ($7.99 USD) and ecoTOOLS Bronzer Brush ($9.99 USD).

The 6 Piece Eye Brush Set includes a large eye shadow brush, angled crease brush, petite eye shading brush, domed highlighting brush, smudge brush and a compact travel cosmetic case with a mirror. Each brush is printed with its name to ensure proper usage with every application. This is a great set at an amazing price! Like all ecoTOOLS brushes, this kit features highly sustainable bamboo handles, 100% cruelty-free, soft taklon bristles, recycled aluminum ferrules plus it the case is made with natural cotton and hemp. Green girls rejoice! I also really love these brushes because it has choices to create many different looks such as the cat-eye and smoky eye in the videos.

The brand new ecoTOOLS Bronzer Brush ($9.99) is a solid and luxurious brush to apply the perfect glow with. The thick bristles are very soft and they make it easy to apply enough product for a sun-kissed look. I also like to use it to apply powdered highlighter on my cheekbones and forehead.

Visit www.eco-tools.com to learn more about the brushes that are available at drugstores near you, plus check out the cool, short-but-informative videos. 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.

Great Beauty Tips Using Ms. Manicure’s Fabulous Products

Ms. Manicure creates cool manicure and pedicure products that help nails look their best, but did you know that they also fix beauty blunders? Below please find tips on different ways to use these products.

Don’t worry about hand washing your favorite sweaters anymore. Solve your pilling problems with Ms. Pedicure’s Rock ‘n Sole ($1.99). By rubbing this dry pumice stone over sweaters, the little fuzzies that cause so much distress will be gone. Make sure to lay the clothing on a flat surface before gently stroking the fabric with the stone. Keep the stone clean and dry for future use!

Scared your false eyelashes might fall off into your dinner plate a la the last date you went on? Give them extra security by applying them with the tweezers from Ms. Manicure‘s Handy Dandy Mani kit ($9.99). First, let lash glue sit for 30 to 60 seconds prior to using. Then, pick up individual lashes with tweezers, dip the ends in glue and securely apply them to the base of the eyelid. Make sure to coat them with mascara afterwards for extra protection!

Spill something on your new suede boots? You might not have to head for the shoe store for another pair just yet. Grab an emery board, like Ms. Manicure ‘s Call Your Buff ($2.99), and lightly rub the stain. Use the soft, buffer side of this four-sided board to ensure that your boots don’t get damaged in the process. Then, hold the shoe over steam from a boiling pot (or teakettle) on the stove to completely remove it. This works for suede clothing as well!

For a list of retailers and to check out other recession-friendly products, visit www.msmanicure.com and www.mspedicure.com.

Beautyblender blender + cleanser duo pack

blender + cleanser duo pack

I love finding cool makeup tools that make application easier. And when its good for the environment? Well, that’s even better! So of course I LOVE the Beautyblender makeup sponge (blender and cleanser is $34.95).

The website explains, “Invented by top Hollywood make up artists Rea Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, Beautyblender has been created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. Silva and Lorenz know that the key to a perfect face is simple: a perfect blend. So forget your fingers or sharp-edged triangular sponges, these application methods waste make up and can leave visible streaks.”

The pre=”The “>Beautylender is an egg-shaped (elliptical), velvety sponge that because of the shape, blends with out streaking. Stippling it around the face creates a smooth surface and even helps my pores seem smaller. The pointed side is for around eyes, mouth and nose and the base is for broader areas like forehead, cheeks and chin.

The really cool think about this sponge is that it is reusable. Use it, then wash it with the Blendercleanser. This will keep the skin healthy and extend the life of the sponge. “Blendercleanser is a lightly lavender-scented cleanser that’s free of dyes and skin irritants. It’s soothing soy-based, low-suds formula breaks down rapidly, making it earth-friendly and fun to use. Soy has the added benefit of being one of nature’s finest moisturizers, so by all means, clean up with class and do it often.”

I clean it after each use by applying a small amount to the soiled areas of the Beautyblender. I lather, then rinse. When it is wet, it is twice the normal size. I then place it on the pedestal on the top of the cleanser and let it air dry. Even if you use it a little wet, it still works great!

To learn more and to purchase the Beautyblender, visit www.beautyblender.net. Have fun with this great product!

Perfect Your Pout with the LipStamp by Alcone

Alcone LipStamp

Looking for a way to achieve the perfect lip look for the holidays? Try Alcone’s LipStamp Kit for Lips ($24.95).

This extremely unique product looks like a kids toy, but it certainly is not! To use, choose one of the 10 stamps that are included in the kit and stick it to the stamp base. Then apply your favorite lipstick on the stamp, don’t be shy. I found that a full color, opaque lipstick works better than sheer. I love using my Lorac Breakthrough Performance Lipstick with it. One the stamp is saturated with lipstick, line the stamp up with your lips and press on! If you go out of the lines unintentionally, just blot!

The different stamps can give you different looks and work with various lip sizes. I’m sure you will find one perfect for you.

Visit www.alconeco.com to learn more and to purchase this product and other great beauty tools and products. Have fun with it — beauty is about fun!

H2pro Vivace 1 Inch Flat Iron

H2PRO creates quality hair tools and treatments that style the hair professionally while making it look and feel healthy.

The new The Vivace 1 Inch Flat Iron ($150.00) contains three layers of ceramic and a PTFC ceramic heater. What is that you ask? It is described as, “Since PTFC heaters are based on far-infrared heat, this allows the ceramic plates to produce an even heat distribution, while offering superior heat recovery. Far-infrared is the deepest and safest heat for all hair types, naturally and organically sealing the cuticle. This instantly protects tresses from continued styling, sealing in moisture to reveal frizz free, silky, and revitalized tresses. The Vivace 1 Inch Flat Iron even offers a variable temperature setting, allowing hair to be styled anywhere from 140°F to 450°F.”

Really, a healthy and non-damaging flat iron? Really! I have even created the ultimate test for this flat iron: let my teenage daughter (who obsesses over her hair) give it a test-drive. She has used it every day for about a week now and LOVES it. It straightens her hair or she can make really cute curls with it, plus her hair isn’t fried at all. On the few occasions I have been able to use it, I love what it does to my wavy hair. It quickly smooths and straightens. And if I have extra time, it is fun to make spiral ringlets!

I highly recommend this flat iron. Visit www.h2probeautylife.com to learn more about these excellent tools and learn how to order one for yourself!

Pink Venus Embrace — Get Closer to the Cause

Gillette has released a new pink Venus Embrace ($9.99 – $11.99) to help women “Get Closer to the Cause” of eradicating the spread of breast cancer. Every three minutes in the U.S., a woman is diagnosed with this devastating disease, so together with eight other Procter & Gamble^® (P&G) brands, Venus has joined the fight to find the cure.

I have tried — and I love — the Venus Embrace. I love that Procter & Gamble is donating to this extremely important cause. The Pink Venus Embrace comes with a breast self-exam “how-to” booklet. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, self-exams should be performed monthly (around the same time the average woman changes her razor blade). So, it’s a good idea to work them into your shaving routine; conveniently before or after shaving your underarms.

The shaver itself comes with these great features:

— A shaving surface that adjusts to the natural contours and curves of a woman’s body. This allows the blade cartridge to sit flatter on the skin for a closer shave.

— A Protective Ribbon of Moisture fully surrounds the shaving surface for a smooth glide.

— A Soft Grip handle that feels great in the hand and improves control, even when wet.

Read more about this great shaver at www.gillettevenus.com.