Beauty – Page 170 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Kenzo’s Unidentified Fragrance Object

KENZO, one of my favorite perfume companies, has come out with a warm and sensuous new fragrance that is great for the cooler temperatures of the fall.

But Unidentified Fragrance Object ($188.00 1.4 oz) is not your usual perfume. Kenzo has teamed with designer Ron Arad, having Arad design a unique bottle for the fragrance that is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Since each individual bottle is hand-polished, only 1000 units will be produced for the United States. It is only available at Bergdorf Goodman and kenzousa.com starting in August 2009.

The fragrance breaks with industry codes; rejecting the traditional olfactory pyramid and instead balancing between a powerful heart, “the marble accord” and four natural raw ingredients. The ingredients are Bulgarian Rose, Vanilla, Orange Blossom and Frankincense.

This is a very strong scent that would work well for going out. When I spray it on, all of the ingredients meld together to make a spicy and sweet scent. The Frankincense over-powers the other scents, but I can still pick out the Vanilla, Orange Blossom and even a bit of the Rose.

If you would like to purchase this unique scent in this work-of -art bottle, visit www.kenzousa.com. Enjoy!

It Cosmetics Fab Concealer — Bye Bye Under Eye

Bye Bye Under Eye Shades and Tube

IT Cosmetics are innovators when it comes to makeup that can make you look your best. They have kits to bring out your eyes, plump lips and make teeth look white at the same time, make your legs look smooth and defined as well as many other wonderful products.
So when I tried their new concealer, Bye Bye Under Eye, I knew it would be good. But I didn’t realize how good!

It Cosmetics worked with leading plastic surgeons in Brazil to create this full coverage, highly pigmented anti-aging concealer utilizing innovative technology and ingredients. Bye Bye Under Eye offers a waterproof, yet moisturizing formula that will stay put no matter what. The formula contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Hydrolyzed Collagen – which is clinically proven to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin of the under eye area. Bye Bye Under Eye

Since it is so highly pigmented, I use just a little drop for each eye. I then pat n with my ring finger to blend it in. I also use it on the inner corners of my eyes for an instant brightness. This product does cover under eye circles very well. As it is thick, it really needs blending. Once it is blended well, the under eye area is very smooth and light.

Bye Bye Under Eye is available in four shades: Light, Neutral Medium, Tan and Deep. The light is very light, so I use Neutral Medium.

Visit the website at www.itcosmetics.com to learn more and to purchase these fab products.

White Sands Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

As we become more eco-conscious, more companies are releasing natural, organic and even vegan products. Not only are these types of products great for the environment, they are healthy and nourishing for our bodies!

White Sands has recently created 100% vegan products, their Hydrating Shampoo ($12.00 7.6 oz) and Conditioner ($15.00 7.6 oz). These products are all natural, sulfate, silicone, and cruelty free. Both products contain wheat and silk amino acids to moisturize dry and damaged hair, while providing hair color protection.

The claim is, “by correcting the hair’s internal moisture balance, White Sands Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner create a guard against humidity, creating the foundation for the perfect frizz free style. To further the pairs’ amazing results, Wheat Amino Acids promote moisture when applying hot tools, while Silk Amino Acids’ cationic and anionic properties create a positive charge to damaged hair fibers in order to polish tresses for high shine.”

I like this hair care duo. The scent is sultry with a hint of musk– but its not too strong, which is good. It will be very nice for the fall and winter. The conditioner is my favorite because it is very rich. My hair needs a thick conditioner because it gets very dry and frizzy. And although it is a thick moisturizer, the conditioner doesn’t weigh my hair down. I have found my hair is less frizzy after use.

Visit the website at www.whitesandsproducts.com to learn more about these vegan products and the other products in their lines. Enjoy!

Get Glowing With Skyn Iceland

Want your skin to glow? Skyn Iceland creates products that are free of harsh chemicals and they use pure ingredients like pristine glacial waters, powerful antioxidants, potent anti-inflammatory elements, skin-soothing moisturizers, medicinal herbs and purifying extracts. These ingredients are touted to help stressed skin regain its natural glow.

Skyn Iceland’s products do not include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petroleum, formaldehyde or paraffin, are allergy and sensitivity tested, and are cruelty-free. Another great plus is that the packaging is 90% recyclable.

This all sounds good, but how do the products work, you ask? Well, I tried two Skyn Iceland products that have been recently released, the Glacial Cleansing Cloths and the Arctic Brightening Serum, and I really like the gentle and soothing way that they treat my skin.

Glacial Cleansing Cloths($15.00 for 30) – These pre-moistened cloths are fantastic for nighttime, when I’m too tired to wash my face (which is often). They are infused with Icelandic glacial waters and natural extracts to remove makeup, dirt, oil and other impurities while refreshing and soothing the skin. The formulas is non drying and soothes the skin. This is also touted to help prevent breakouts, and since my skin does appear clearer, maybe it is helping! They do sting my eyes a bit, so I use a different eye makeup remover on my eyes and this one all over my face.

Arctic Brightening Serum ($65.00 1 oz) — I love this serum! The claim is that it helps, “reverse the progression of stress-related damage to restore luminosity and improve texture. Arctic Brightening Serum helps protect against premature aging” Ingredients in the serum include arctic root, Siberian ginseng, and maral root, which is touted to “delay cell aging by bolstering skin’s cellular defenses and resistance to stress. While your skin is being fortified, kombucha goes to work to brighten skin and bring back the glow you left behind. A gentle retinol derivative helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Arctic Brightening Serum helps restore the skin’s immune system to optimum levels so skin looks and more importantly, acts younger than ever.”

I apply this serum every morning and evening before moisturizer. I have been using it for a few weeks and my skin is noticabley brighter and smoother. I swear I look younger! It also feels so good when I apply it, it is cooling and soothing. I really recommend the Arctic Brightening Serum and think it is worth the price!

Visit www.skyniceland.com to learn more and to purchase these great products!

New Milani Eye Liners for Fall

Summer makeup is so easy. You don’t need a lot for a fresh look that is perfect for the season. But fall makeup is a different story. When the weather turns cooler, and the fashions become more bold, the bright colors come out of the makeup cases and on to our faces!

Milani has introduced two new eye liners that are perfect for fall. Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner and Infinite Liquid Eye Liner offer bold lines and bright colors, and even though it is not quite fall yet, I have already begun having fun experimenting with them.

Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner ($6.99) puts the control in your hands. This pen-style liner boasts a water-based formula that has a “flow thru system” and a felt-tip applicator for a steady line in one stroke. It goes on incredibly smoothly and you can get more than one look from it. The first time I tried it I was going out with friends, so I did a thick cats-eye line on my top lashes. I have also drawn a very fine line at the base of my lashes to for a more natural look. It is available in black, brown and charcoal.

Infinite Liquid Eye Liner ($5.99) is a long wearing liner that boasts a waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. This comes with a very thin brush that you dip into the product and apply. Once you apply it, you have just a few seconds until it dries to correct any mistakes, because it STAYS ON!!! My daughter applied the blue liner (Infinite) on her friend and it took a lot of makeup remover to get it off! You know that if you put this on in the morning it will stay on all day! It is available in 5 dramatic shades: Infinite (the metallic electric blue), Endless (metallic purple), Eternal (golden green), Forever (golden bronze) and Everlast (black). My favorite is the Forever, it is so pretty and wearable for day.

Visit www.milanicosmetics.com to learn more about these and all of their fab products!

THEFACESHOP — Cool Korean Beauty Products

THEFACESHOP is Korean skincare and cosmetic brand that has arrived in the United States in the last few years. The brand is inspired by nature and many of their products reflect this.

There is a vast array of skincare products by THEFACESHOP. One of my favorites in their Mask Sheets. This is a sheet made from natural pulp that you apply to the face to do such things as revitalize, soften, firm, or tone the skin. I really like the Fresh Fruit Aloe Mask Sheet, because it is very cooling on stressed out or sun-burnt skin. I also like the Pomegranate Mask Sheet, because it smells great and the Ceramide Mask Sheet because it is so moisturizing. At $2.00 each, they are a steal! As wonderful as the masks are, it is a little disconcerting to see yourself with it on (have you ever seen Halloween?)! A very fun product to give to friends!

I also love their Herb Day Cleansers — especially the Purifying Lemon and the Green Leaf Bubble Foam Cleansers. They both are very light and refreshing and do not strip the skin and dry it out.

You can purchase the products at Walgreens, but THEFACESHOP launched their online US store on August 15th. Visit www.thefaceshop.com to shop the brand’s extensive collections. For orders over $25, you’ll receive a free Mask Sheet and for orders over $50, you’ll get free shipping and a Nature Garden Cleansing Bar for Face & Body.

Bobbi Brown Ivy League Collection for Fall

“Pencils are back in a big way for fall. They’re quick, mistake-proof and can go from subtle to bold in one easy stroke.” – Bobbi Brown

I agree with Bobbi. I love pencil eyeliners. They are the easiest form of liner for me to maneuver. Bobbi Brown’s Ivy League Collection contains pencil eyeliners — as well as pencil lip colors — as the focus of a classic fall look.

I recently tried a few items from Bobbi Brown’s fall collection including her new and improved Creamy Eye Pencil ($20.00) — It is designed to go on smoothly and evenly and features a built-in smudger for a softer, smoky effect. Available in 9 shades including: Jet, Walnut, Caviar, Midnight, Hunter, Brown Plum, Dusk, Charcoal and Mahogany. I tried Mahogany. This is a soft taupey brown with a dash of warmth to it. It is creamy, but it takes a few swipes across my lids for the color to be intense enough to show; it’s quite a subtle brown. I like the look it gave me and I think it will be great for fall.

Bobbi also adds two new pearlized eye shadows, Autumn Shimmer Wash, a warm bronze and Bash Metallic, which a forest green for lining and defining ($22.00). I have the Bash Metallic and I like using it in my crease when I’m wearing beige shadow on my lids and the Mahogany Creamy Eye Pencil as liner. It’s a fun way to wear a pop of color. You can use the Bobbi Brown Angle Eye Shadow Brush ($28.00) which is ideal for applying shadow in the corner, in the crease or all over the lid.

The Ivy League Collection also includes a fresh, new spin on fall’s strong eye: Forest Shimmer Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21.00). To create the shade, Bobbi blended deepest green with golden pearls to create a liner that really makes eyes pop.

By far, my favorite product of the line is Bobbi’s Lip Crayons ($22.00). This awesome pencil “combines the luxurious feel of a lipstick with the ease and convenience of a jumbo, crayon-inspired pencil.” Including a custom-sized sharpener, the Lip Crayon is available in six shades: Honeysuckle, Coral Pink, Raisin Berry, Posey, Dusty Nude, Wild Rose. I have Dusty Nude, which is a medium beige that is so pretty on. It’s a lovely natural that will go with all my autumn outfits!

Visit www.bobbibrown.com to learn more and to purchase this collection before the first leave falls.

beautyADDICTS

Looking for a luxury cosmetics line that you may not have tried before? I love discovering beauty lines that many people haven’t heard about and introducing them to you, my fab readers. There are so many great ones that are not for sale at department stores or Sephora. Like beautyADDICTS.

beautyADDICTS takes a unique approach to makeup. All of their products fit into 4 color families: Glow — soft pinks and lavenders, Express — bronzes and creams, Motivate — berries and plums, and Seduce — rubies and silvers. I tried the following products:

SolutionEYES in Motivate($35.00) — This eye shadow quad is incredibly pigmented and the colors glide on so smoothly. A friend of mine who doesn’t usually wear makeup, fell in love with the flattering shades of pinks and berries in this palette. I think these colors would look great on all skin tones because they are so highly pigmented. The mix of shimmers and matte shadows make it great for day or evening.

SleekCHEEKS in Express ($28.00) — This blush duo includes a shimmering cream and a sheer matte powder to create lots of looks. The formulas are oil absorbent and include advanced antioxidants. The Express colors are coppery and are a little to warm for my skin tone, but they go on smoothly and give a subtle hint of glow.

Visit the website at www.beautyaddicts.com, where you can purchase these items and more.

ANEW Essential Skin Care Collection Giveaway

: ANEW Essential Skin Care Collection

Hi All! I’m announcing an awesome Avon ANEW giveaway! Kansas City area Avon Representative Heidi Walker is giving away the amazing collection below to one of my lucky readers — could it be you??? The prize is:

ANEW ESSENTIAL SKIN CARE COLLECTION

Mega Bundle Tote Bag — Double-handled carry-all in stain-resistant cotton canvas. 12″ W x 10 1/2″ H x 3 1/4″ D; 11″ handle drop. Imported. Clinical Thermafirm Face Lifting Cream 1 fl. oz.
Ultimate Contouring Eye System Cream, .5 fl. oz.; and Elixir, .9 oz. net wt.
Ultimate Age Repair Day Cream SPF 25 1.7 fl. oz.
Clinical Plump & Smooth Lip System .2 total fl. oz.
Rejuvenate Revitalizing 2-in-1 Gel Cleanser 4.2 fl. oz.
a $156.00 value

To win, simply register at Heidi’s site — http://www.youravon.com/hwalker — with a user ID, password, and address. She requires an address to be able to ship the prize. Then complete the “”New Anew Guide To Looking Younger” survey found under your profile. This will enable Heidi to add you to the list of entrants. Easy peasy! I will draw the winning name on August 31 and notify the winner immediately.

Heidi is also doing a promotion for any customer that orders $50.00 in AVON online and chooses direct delivery will get $20.00(value) in AVON as a complimentary gift. Visit her website to learn more.

King of Shaves Woman Shaving Gel

: King of Shaves Woman Shaving Gel

King of Shaves — www.shave.com — a UK line, has introduced a line of women’s shaving products. They use low foam formulations to offer a close shave without the drying after affects of lather.

I tried the Pamper and Moisturise Shaving Gel ($5.99). This luxurious gel contains chamomile and rose to sooth and calm the skin. I like the soft fragrance of this gel and the close shave I get from it.

Here are some great tips and tricks from Master Barber for King of Shaves, Diane Wood to go with the King of Shaves Woman Shaving Gel:

Shave at Night: Shaving removes dead skin cells and the superficial layer of the epidermis reducing skin’s defenses. Try shaving in the evening to avoid exposing weakened skin to external elements.

Do it in the Shower: Warm, wet hair is three times easier to shave than dry. Therefore, try to shave during a shower, thoroughly wetting hair with warm water for at least three minutes. Also try to exfoliate skin before shaving to prevent in-grown hairs.

Use a Low Foam Formula Shaving Gel: Opt for a low foam gel such as King of Shaves Woman rather than foamy gels or plain soap and water which can rob skin of moisture, leaving it dry and irritated.

For the Smoothest Stems: Start at the ankles and shave upwards. Shave from the bottom of the ankle, gently gliding the blade up the leg, in one smooth stroke. Take extra care and shave slowly when shaving areas where bone is close to the skin surface, such as ankles and knees.

Be Flexible: Remember to flex the heel to stretch the skin while shaving to avoid nicks and cuts that often occur behind the ankle.

Bikini Babe: Follow the natural direction of hair growth to prevent irritation, particularly in the bikini area. Do not press too hard; let the blade do the work.

Up in Arms: Underarm hair grows in different directions; thus one must shave up, down and across. To prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs, pull skin tight with one hand, while shaving with the other. Re-apply shaving gel regularly.

Post-Shave: Thoroughly rinse any remaining gel from skin. Avoid exposing skin to any potential irritants (i.e. lotions, fragrance or salt water) for an hour to allow skin’s pores to close.