Category: cosmetics

Make Your Eyes Look Their Best With IT Cosmetics

IT Cosmetics, the magically transformative beauty product company, has recently released two fantastic products to make your eyes look younger and more beautiful. They are (with descriptions from the website:

Bye Bye Lid Lines  ($24.00 USD) is an anti-aging and crease-proof eye shadow primer that gives you the power to finally say “bye bye” to pesky eye shadow creasing and hello to maximum pigment payoff! Bye Bye Lid Lines offers a universal translucent finish that blends perfectly and invisibly into eyelids of every skin tone. The truly innovative formula contains high concentrations of Vitamins A, C, E & K – proven to help reduce discoloration while warding off free-radicals throughout the day. Plus the hydrolyzed collagen works to help smooth out the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This creates the perfect plumped canvas before you even begin to apply your eye shadow!

• Green tea extract helps to target puffiness
• Vitamin K helps to target discoloration
• Acai and grapeseed oil help to provide ultimate anti-aging benefits
• Paraben-free
• Fragrance-free
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Hypo-allergenic

What I think: I believe eye primers are essential to keeping eye makeup fresh all day. This primer is amazing. Once applied, lines are smoothed and wrinkles seem to fade away. You get an even canvas to play with. The texture is silky, but it dries so that you can apply your shadow over it. My eye shadow stayed on for hours and looked great!

Brow Power™ Universal Eyebrow Pencil with Brow Enhancing Technology  ($24.00 USD) transforms and adjusts to all brow hair colors. The oval shaped tip creates the most natural looking, believable brow and is perfect for both thin and thick brows. The long-wear formula is waterproof & smudge-resistant. It Cosmetics Exclusive Brow Enhancing Complex uses a patent-pending blend of cutting-edge ingredients to target the look of brow hair loss, and helps restore your brow hair follicles – promoting the look of healthy hair growth and health.

• Contains Brow Enhancing Saw Palmetto, Nettle Extract, Horsetail Extract, Green Tea Extract, Grapeseed Extract
• Paraben-free, Non-comedogenic, Hypo-allergenic
• Waterproof, Sweatproof and Smudge-Resistant
• Universal shade adjusts to all skin tones and hair colors

What I think: I sometimes forget about my brows. They are so dark that they are almost black and they have a pretty good shape to them. But they are getting thinner as I age. So a nice pencil that matches my color and is easy to apply really gives my brows (and whole face) a polished look. This pencil works on my dark brows when I press down firmly on them with it, but would also work on lighter brows with a softer touch. The spooly on the other end helps blend in and brush out unruly brows. I really recommend this product!

Visit www.itcosmetics.com to learn more and to purchase these great products! You can also visit www.qvc.com. Enjoy!

LORAC Visual Effection Collection

LORAC Visual Effection Collection

LORAC has released another one of their fab collections at a great value!The Visual Effection Collection ($20.00 USD, a $47.00 value) is a limited edition and is available at Ulta and includes 2 full size Visual Effects Mascaras, one in Jet Black and one in Midnight Blue, plus a travel size Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer. You’ll have everything you need to curl, separate, and lengthen your lashes.

What I think: These mascaras take a little practice to perfect, with the comb/brush applicator. But once I got it down, my lashes were extremely long and separated. The Midnight Blue is especially nice because it makes the whites of the eyes look brighter. The primer is very nice as well and helps eye shadows stay on longer.

Pur Minerals Perfect Fit Eye Shadow Trio

It’s always fun to try new eye shadow colors — eye shadows are such a fun way to switch up your look!

Pur Minerals has created beautiful eye shadow trios in very wearable, but fun, color combinations. The two I have tried with descriptions from the website are:   

Goddess Perfect Fit Eye Shadow Trio ($21.00). “Touch the heavens this season with a simply divine eye palette that will lift your spirits and take your look to new heights. Featuring a trio of pür-ly enchanting shades in vanilla cream, dusty garnet and rich umber, our Goddess Eye Trio will instantly brighten any occasion.”

Canyon Glow Perfect Fit Eye Shadow Trio ($21.00). “Create a naturally captivating eye look inspired by this season’s sultry earthen metallic palette. Featuring three perfectly complementary hues, in pink quartz, copper clay and satin brown, our Canyon Glow Eye Trio is your key to a simply smoldering, straight-from-the-runway stare.”

What I Think: These shadows are so silky and well-pigmented. They glide across the eyes and are so pretty on.  I love how in both kits the shades are individually beautiful but complimentary when worn together. Lovely!

These kits also come in:

Desert Sky — antique pearl, burnt rose and cinnamon shimmer 

Halo —  shimmery pink, misty taupe and mossy green

Visit www.purminerals.com to learn more and to purchase these fab shadows. Enjoy!

Fab Beauty Products For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Want to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and look gorgeous at the same time? Here are some lovely beauty products that make you feel as good as you look when you purchase them!

Celebrity makeup artist and NYC “Brow King”, Ramy, a cancer survivor himself, is showing his support with charitable contributions from the Shiksa Face Gloss – a vibrant, pink shade that delivers perfect and portable flawless color for eyes, cheeks and lips!

With the purchase of every Shiksa Face Gloss you too can look beautiful for a cause and reflect Ramy’s mantra of “minimum makeup, maximum impact” with 25% of proceeds during the month of October going directly to the “Young Survival Coalition” – the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. Price: $18.50, availability: www.Ramy.com

To commemorate their commitment to the fight against Breast Cancer, Tweezerman introduces the new 2010 limited edition Slant® Tweezer – Precision in Pink. A cotton candy-pink background, adorned with the iconic BCA pink ribbon logo, is spangled with little flashy silver specks design. One dollar from the sale of each limited edition Precision in Pink will go to CancerCare as well as other Breast Cancer Awareness charities throughout the country.Price: $20, availability: www.Tweezerman.com

Shine doesn’t stand a chance against boscia Rose Blotting Linens! Perfectly formulated to blot away excess oil, unwanted shine and perspiration without disturbing makeup, these conveniently sized linens are also infused with rose essence to soothe skin and uplift the psyche. What’s more— boscia donates 10% of sales of Rose Blotting Linens to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (www.dslrf.org) to support breast cancer research.
Price: $10, availability: www.Sephora.com

Give Your Hair A Little Color With Streekers

Want to do something wild with your hair without making a drastic, permanent change? Try Streekers ($10.95 USD)  hair colors.    Created with advanced technology,  Streekers instantly bonds liquid hue to your hair. The formula looks and acts just like permanent hair color, so you can brush your hair without dulling the shade or risking color flake-off.

Streekers is available  in Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Green, Yellow, Orange and Ultraviolet.  Apply Streekers directly to dry hair from mid-length to tip, in long strokes. Allow Streekers to dry and style straight.

What I think: Streekers are really fun and so easy to apply. My 10 and 15-year-old daughters have been using them as a fun look for school and do not have trouble applying them. They will also be perfect for Halloween.  The only thing  to watch is that these do not work on dark hair. My hair is dark brown, and they didn’t show up. But if you have light to medium colored hair, they will work fine.

You can purchase Streekers at select salons and cosmetic specialty stores; ULTA; or www.streekers.com.

Yves Rocher Replumping Serum Foundation

Replumping Serum Foundation

Looking for a high quality, affordable foundation? Yves Rocher’s new Replumping Serum Foundation ($14.00 USD) aims to plump, comfort, and give radiance to your skin.

The claim:  The 1st Yves Rocher foundation, which concentrates at the heart of a formula of sensorial touch and maximum comfort, includes 4 high performance rose extracts. Your moisturized and plumped skin regains its suppleness for an instantaneous, “fresh complexion” effect. Signs of fatigue and fine lines are reduced, skin texture is smoothed. Your complexion is perfectly even without a “mask” effect. Formula tested under dermatological supervision. The Plus: Its pump-bottle dispenses the correct dose.

What I think:  I love good-for-the-skin makeup and a combination foundation and serum is fabulous. This one glides on nicely and blends well into my skin, leaving a natural, glowing look. My skin looks fresh and not cakey with it on.

Visit www.yvesrocherusa.com to learn more and to purchase this fab foundation.

d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig LX Mascara

 

d.j.v. beautenizer

It’s Fall (almost)! Time to try a new mascara! Of course, I think it’s always time to try a new mascara.  But if you not only want to try a new mascara, but want to try a cool hi-tech one, try d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig LX ($, from the best selling mascara manufacturer in Japan, Imju Corporation. If you think the name is long, it does not compare to the extreme lengths this technologically advanced formula will take your lashes. Beginning August 2010, available in Pure Black, d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig LX will be sold exclusively in Sephora, Sephora inside JCPenney and Sephora Canada. 

The claim: Fiberwig LX’s unique fiber enriched film coating formula lengthens while conditioning lashes. The formula contains conditioning oils with panthenol, natural silk and botanical extracts that work to maintain healthy and resilient lashes. The crescent shaped brush conforms to each and every lash, even those hard to reach corners and the tiniest of lashes, not to mention the lower lashes. Generous amounts of fibers perfectly encapsulate lashes from root to tip, extending lashes to eyebrow reaching lengths. With Fiberwig LX’s innovative staying power you can forget about smudging and those dreaded raccoon eyes. Best of all, it removes with just warm water.   

What I think:  It’s really cool that I can see all of the fibers on the brush before I apply. This lengthens pretty well and separates each lash — no clumping! The only thing that I don’t like is that it is heavy on my lashes and weighs them down. I have to curl my lashes because they are stick straight, and this mascara kills my curl. But if you want a nice natural, separated look, this will give it to you!

Laura Geller’s Fall Eye-deas!

Super-talented cosmetics creator and make-up artist Laura Geller has created  a couple of fab new eye products that will make it easy to glam up your Fall with long-wearing eyes!

Laura Geller Perfect Pairing ($26.50 USD) is a dual-ended eyeliner wand. One end holds liquid liner and the other end holds a powder shadow liner in the same shade. Cool, no? So simple to use, yet so transformative! First, apply the unique liquid eyeliner onto the base of the lashes to impart shiny, long-lasting, smudge-resistant color. Then use the high-pigment loose powder on the other end on top of the liquid liner with the specially crafted wand applicator to soften the line and intensify the color. The intense powder formula softens the appearance of a liquid liner, expertly smudging and perfecting while also setting the color so it stays put all day long–it’s that easy! Available in four wearable shades, including Black, Eggplant, Brown and Navy*.

Laura’s Lesson: “Always apply liquid liner to clean, dry skin for the best results. When using both liners, lay the brush on the root of the lash line for easier application. Place the shadow deep into the lash line for
a lush, intense effect.”

What I think: I like a softer eye, so I use the powder alone by smudging it into my lashes. But for more drama, layering the liners gives a sexy look that lasts all day!

Laura Geller Waterproof Eye Spackle ($22.00  USD). As the brand that popularized the primer category, Laura Geller continues to reinvent her famed, best-selling Spackle Collection with new Waterproof Eye Spackle, an innovative primer for eyes. This is gentle on the eyes but seriously tough on creases, smudges and smears, making any powder shadow virtually waterproof.

Application is seamless and effortless with the easy click-pen applicator. Applied as a base, lids are left smooth, creaseless and ready for flawless shadow application. Color stays true and remains in place all
day, no matter what the forecast is! Even humidity, tears, long hours at the office or a fun-filled evening won’t melt or budge eye makeup once Waterproof Spackle is applied.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:
• Isododecane: provides long lasting, water resistant-benefits
• Boron Nitride: imparts a soft, silky finish and simplifies application
• Ronasphere LDP: creates a light diffusing effect

Laura’s Lesson: “Always apply before your favorite shadow. Eye lid primers work to smooth and even the tone of lids for flawless color application. With a click of the pen, just the right amount of Spackle is
dispensed and will revolutionize your makeup case!”

What I think:  This primer works really well. Just a little goes a long way. I smooth it on my eyelids and it instantly evens out the area. If I don’t have a lot of time in the morning, just a little primer and mascara makes me look wide awake. Add shadow and it will stay on all day.

You can purchase Laura Geller products at www.laurageller.com or www.qvc.com.

Hourglass Debuts New Fall Products at Fashion’s Night Out

Introducing the luxury brand Hourglass Cosmetics’ Fall 2010 launches – Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara and a brand new lipstick collection – Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick.

Both were a collaboration between Hourglass founder Carisa Janes and Artistic Director Gina Brooke. In case you are not familiar with Gina, she is Madonna’s makeup artist and has worked with a lot of other A-list celebrities such as Anne Hathaway and Naomi Campbell. The new products are:

Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick ($30.00 USD) is a collection of 12 gorgeous shades of hydrating lipsticks that are paraben-free. Each lipstick features an embossed Hourglass icon and comes in an engraved case that is refillable. The richly pigmented formula of Femme Rouge adds fullness and luster, immediately shaping and softening lips for a plush, cushiony effect. Shades include vibrant reds, creamy nudes, hot pinks and more.

What I think: This lipstick is very creamy and soft when you apply it. I own it in Edition, which is described as a soft neutral pink shimmer. This is a very flattering shade and it makes my lips look plush and full when I wear it. Beautiful!

Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara ($28.00 USD) adds instant drama to lashes without clumping or flaking. Film Noir’s signature hourglass-shaped brush is designed for optimal application, adding volume, length, lift, and separation to lashes. The intense concentration of Panthenol (ProVitamin B5) adds a reflective, jet-black sheen for dramatic impact.

What I think: As I said before on this blog, I have short, sparse lashes. In just one coat, this mascara made my lashes look twice as long and twice as thick! The formula is buildable so you can add even more drama with each coat you apply. This does not make lashes clump and does not flake or smear during the day. Awesome mascara!!!

I have also included a photo from this years Fashion’s Night Out event at Sephora Union Square in NYC, which was hosted by Hourglass Cosmetics.

Hourglass Artistic Director Gina Brooke led an exciting choreographed makeup show with two other makeup artists. Set to music, three models were meticulously and fluidly transformed into beautiful faces of art. Gina Brooke said, “The show’s about artistry, being innovative and making it fun.” The looks featured Hourglass’ Fall launches – Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick and Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara.

You can learn more and purchase these great new products at www.hourglasscosmetics.com and www.sephora.com. Enjoy the glamour!

Perfect Formula Perfect Color Nail Lacquer Fall 2010 Collection

The new Fall 2010 Perfect Color Nail Lacquer collection ($15.00 USD each) from Perfect Formula has beautiful colors that are perfect for the season.“The fall color palette is all about rich hues that add instant sophistication, yet a pop of pizzazz. There is no need for sparkles when you have these dazzlers adorning your manicure,” says Shari Gottesman, founder of Perfect Formula. “And the best part about these colors is that they are universally flattering to all skin-tones – not something you can say about metallic blues and glittery golds.”
 
The art-inspired collection, which ranges from light to dark greiges, a rainbow of plums and a show-stopping emerald, are the perfect accessory to any fall ensemble.

CUBIST: A divinely deep gray-brown, which reveals a surprise purple-ish tint when hit by natural sunlight!
DECO: A perfect marriage of pink and plum results in this to-good-to-be true berry hue.
FUTURIST:  This slightly gray, yet slightly lavender lacquer is nothing short of 100% drop dead gorgeous.
POP ART: A stunning emerald-green that’s almost as good as the real thing!
AVANT GRAY: This true-to gray color is the no fail choice when it comes to the ultimate fashion-forward color.
POST MODERN: A deep plum that a little bit rock star, a little bit uptown girl and a whole lot of awesome.

What I think: This is quality nail polish that lasts a few days without chipping (a week with a great top coat) and the colors are beautiful. I try a lot of different types of polish, but I find that although these shades are a bit trendy, they are also very wearable. I love the Cubist, because it seems to change colors when I step outside. And Pop Art is very fun with this season’s grays, blacks and browns.

Visit  http://perfectformulas.com/ to learn more and to purchase these fab polishes!