cosmetics – Page 89 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Avon liiv botanicals

Avon has been around a very long time and is continuously coming out with fun new products that are accessible to almost everyone.

Recently, Avon has launched a new line of skincare products called liiv botanicals. This line boasts “Plant Essence Technology which captures active plant extracts to deliver rejuvenating benefits directly to the skin.” These products are fragrance-free, preservative-free and dye-free. This makes them ideal for sensitive skin (like mine).

liiv botanicals Vital Day Cream with SPF 20 ($15.00 1.7 fl. oz). The claim is that this, “nourishing formula with natural plant extracts protects skin from harmful UV rays, stress and the environment. After 1 day of use, skin is noticeably fresher and smoother. In just 3 days, skin reveals a healthier clarity and improved texture and tone.”

In the morning and night, I slather this cream all over my face and it absorbs quickly, leaving my skin very soft. I have noticed that since I have been using it, my skin does look more even and has a nice glow to it. Another plus is that since it does absorb so quickly, you can apply makeup just a few minutes after rubbing in the cream. And, I can’t say enough about the importance of SPF in your day cream!

liiv botanicals Vitalizing Eye Cream with SPF 15 ($12.00 5 fl. oz). Claims that in just 2 weeks the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles will diminish, and it will minimize bags and tighten the under eye area. In 4 weeks it claims to reduce under eye circles and firm up skin.

I have been using these products for about 3 weeks now and my under eye area does look smoother. My dark circles are a bit lighter and my bags are gone! This also has an SPF. I don’t know if it is as vital to have SPF with your eye cream, but it is nice.

All in all, I think this is a very nice line for the price. It is affordable for almost all budgets and the natural ingredients are great for the skin. Check out this line and others at www.avon.com or talk to that awesome Avon Lady that you know…

Essie’s Spring 2009 Collection

For this spring, Essie has released a fun collection of six colors to suit every mood. The season’s fresh, flowy fashions (I do love alliteration!) were the inspiration for this line and it “captures the femininity of the season with a fresh, hopeful attitude”.

Here is Essie’s description of each color:

One of a Kind — poppy red kiss

Eternal Optimist — spiced tea rose

Mesmerize — royal va-va blue

Status Symbol — feisty hot pink

Flawless — cherry blossom pink

Lacquered Up — red hot crimson

My favorites are the Eternal Optimist which is a very lovely pinky-beige and One of a Kind which is a really bright red-orange. My 13 year-old daughter of course loves Mesmerize, which I wore the other day and she said it was cool on me! Awesome!

These polishes sell for $9.00 USD each. Essie’s website is www.essie.com. You can visit it to find a store that carries the products or purchase online. Have fun!

Kenzo’s Eaux de Fleurs Spring Fragrance Collection

Kenzo is known for their lovely fragrances such as Flower by Kenzo and Kenzo Amour. They have just introduced a new fragrance line for Spring: the Eaux de Fleurs Collection. The Kenzo website describes the collection as; “Kenzo flower waters are picked from Japanese trees. Each eau de toilette in the collection evokes a delicate trail of tree blossom. Three new fragrances made of natural, clear and streamlined floral notes. Every year, Kenzo will enrich this collection by picking another flower.” There are three fragrances in this collection:

Eau de Fleur de Soie Silk (1.7 oz , $55.00) — a silk flower fragrance that is “a crimson floral note with a tender, fruity heart.”

Eau de Fleur de Magnolia (1.7 oz , $55.00) — a magnolia fragrance that is “a radiant floral bouquet, bursting with hesperidian notes.”

Eau de Fleur de The – Tea (1.7 oz , $55.00) — a green tea fragrance that is “a floral concoction with notes of green tea and a hint of musk.”

I have only tried the Eau de Fleur de The – Tea and I think it’s wonderful. It is a very bright, yet soft musk. It’s not too sweet, which is perfect for me. I think the Silk or the Magnolia scents would be wonderful if you’re in the mood for something more flowery or fruity. The tea fragrance is great for every day. I get lots of compliments at work when I wear it.

I think it’s fun that they will be introducing a new addition to the collection each year. I am looking forward to next year’s offering! Visit their website at www.kenzousa.com to purchase or locate as store to try these fabulous scents.

Tarte ReCreate™ Foundation

I love liquid foundation. I know that mineral powder foundations are all the rage these days, but I for me nothing beats the perfect smoothing foundation that is a perfect match to my skin color. It hides my pores and makes the rest of my makeup look flawless.

Tarte’s ReCreate™ Foundation ($37.00 USD) is a natural anti-aging foundation with Wrinkle Rewind™ Technology. What’s that, you ask? Tarte’s website explains it as, “proprietary re-hydrating complex restores moisture, tone, and elasticity to the skin, effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”. They also claim the micronized minerals in the formula help brighten the skin and provide an SPF 15.

Other ingredients also include goji berry extract, peat extract, and wheat extract and its paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free. To find out all of the ingredients, visit Tarte’s website at www.tartecosmetics.com.

I think that the price of this foundation is good for the great coverage and glow it gives you. I have noticed that it doesn’t settle in my fine lines and makes my pores (a big problem) less noticeable. I am yet to get a lot of lines (yay sunscreen!), but it seems to make the ones I have less noticeable. All in all, a great liquid foundation!

Spring Roses from The Body Shop Part 1 — Roseflower Makeup Collection

The Body Shop has released a beautiful Spring Roses Collection that includes The Roseflower Spring Makeup Collection and the Morrocan Rose Bath and Body Collection. I am going to review these collections in two parts, since there are so many fun products included.

Roseflower eyes ($14.00 USD) comes in two colors Sunshine Gold and Mint Green. These colors go on as a wash of color leaving you with a lovely watercolor look. Don’t be afraid of the Mint Green, it is a very subtle color. I have worn it to work and received compliments on my “pretty makeup”! The shadows also have an embossed shimmery rose in the middle of it, so not for the shimmer-shy, but also not too glittery.

Roseflower Lips $(16.00 USD) are available in Soft Pink, True Pink and Deep Pink. I have the Soft Pink shade which looks very pretty with the eye shadows and Fuscia blush. It goes on shiny and soft, and looks almost like a lip gloss. It is VERY moisturizing and contains, “Community Trade organic beeswax and marula oil from Namibia helps to repair skin’s moisture barrier.” Very good for a spring-y day look!

Roseflower Blush ($20.00 USD) in Fuscia and Pink is a very soft, blendable cheek color. I have the Fuchsia, which really brightens the face and gives you a little flush. As with the eye shadow, there is an embossed rose in the middle that adds a hint of shimmer.

There is also a Roseflower Radiance Stick ($22.00 USD), which is a highlighter. I have not tried this product, but the claim is, “The soft, velvety texture instantly transforms from cream to powder formulation on contact and delivers a sensational luminescent effect.”

All of the products from this collection is imbued with a very slight rose scent. And, these colors are perfect to bewitch your Valentine!

You can purchase these products or find a The Body Shop location at www.thebodyshop-usa.com.

Makeup Innovations from CARGO

CARGO cosmetics creates extremely innovative products. They are always coming out with high-tech but beautiful makeup. I was intrigued by their blu ray collection, PlantLove and the very cool The Reverse Lip Liner and was lucky enough to try these fun products!

blu ray, is “a revolutionary collection developed for make-up artists filming in high-definition, as well as all women who want to achieve a flawless face. Ideal for filming, photography, weddings, special events and for everyday beauty because life happens in high-definition.” This collection includes a pressed powder, blush/highlighter, mascara, lip gloss palette, and a high definition mattifier. I have the blu ray Blush/Highlighter ($28.00 USD). This peachy blush has a little sparkle and brings a warmth to my face. I brush it on my cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin and gives a healthy glow. It contains, “photochromatic pigments that adjust with ambient lighting to provide a natural finish day or night. For perfectly glowing skin, the irregular particle size diffuses light and creates an optical blurring that gives the look of a softer, more refined complexion. This ultra-soft formula is oil-free and suitable for all skin types and complexions.”

The Reverse Lip Liner ($14.00 USD) is my favorite product of the three. This is a natural colored pencil that comes in two shades; light and medium dark. You line the outer edges of your lips, and blend. Then apply your favorite lip gloss or lipstick and the color stays in place! Really! Lipstick has always moved to underneath my lower lip as my day progressed, and this liner has helped tremendously. This can also be used in the inner lower eyelid to brighten the eye. Just line the inside of your lower lids and you don’t look as sleepy. Very nice!

The PlantLove Botanical Lipstick ($20.00 USD) is infused with Orchid Complex™ and meadowfoam seed oil as well as jojoba and shea butter. Not only that, but it’s environmentally friendly, containing no mineral oils or petroleums. It comes in wide variety of shades. I have Sagamaratha a sheer rosy-beige cream. The lipstick tube is “made entirely out of corn – a renewable and abundant resource. This environmentally-friendly innovation also emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of global warming. The outer carton is made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds. Simply moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow!” That is very cool, but what also is cool is that the lipstick is moisturizing and fairly long-lasting, especially with the Reverse Lip Liner underneath.

Another great thing about the PlantLove Botanical Lipstick is that CARGO is donating two dollars from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visit their website at www.cargocosmetics.com to find out more and to locate a retailer.

OPI’s South Beach Collection — Get Ready for Bright Colors

: OPI South Beach Collection

OPI nail polishes are such quality products. The colors are beautiful and they last on my nails. This is probably the reason that so many nails salons use them!

Their new spring 2009 collection, the South Beach Collection, just came out in stores. The shades in this collection are mostly bright and sunny, with a few softer shades thrown in for the bright-color shy. Some of the fun shades are: Paint My Moji-Toes Red, a warm rosy red; Conga-Line Coral, a brilliant orange-y pink; and Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot a fun hot pink.

OPU Done Out in Deco — OPI Done Out in Deco

The color I have is Done Out In Deco, a cool medium lilac that looks great on fingers or toes. It is not as bright as some of the others, and I like that. It can be worn at work and looks fun and professional at the same time.

Ulta has recently advertised this collection, so it is a good place to find it. And I’m sure your local salon carries it, too.

Check out OPI online at www.opi.com and have fun with your nails!

Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!

Foundation Flummoxed? Stila Gives Great Choices!

Looking for a good quality foundation? Take a stroll through your local Sephora or Ulta (or go online at http://www.stilacosmetics.com), and check out Stila foundations. The three that I have are all flawless, but vary in coverage and finish.

Illuminating tinted moisturizer SPF 15 — $32.00 USD — This lovely foundation is perfect when you need a little coverage and a lot of glow! This delivers a very youthful shimmer to the face that is not glittery at all. It comes in two shades a light (01) and a medium (02). For day, a bit of powder over it tones the shimmer down, but at night, glow on ladies!

Illuminating Liquid Foundation — $38.00 USD — This one is my favorite right now. It covers my skin imperfections but doesn’t look heavy. It has a bit of glow to it as well, but is not as shimmery as the Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. In 8 different shades there is sure to be a color that matches most skin tones.

Sheer Color tinted moisturizer spf 15 — $32.00 SPF 15 — This tinted moisturizer gives the face a dewy look with just a hint of coverage. I think it will be great in the summer when I get a little tan. I have the shade “Medium”, which is a nice neutral beige. As this product is available in 10 shades, there is one for almost everyone!

The coverage and clarity of all of these foundations can be intensified by Stila’s Hydrating Primer SPF 15 ($34.00 USD). Wearing this moisturizing primer will even out the skin tone and even hide your pores! This is not for someone for very oily skin, but will work for almost everyone else.

So check out the stores or Stila’s website if you are looking for new ways to make your skin look youthful and smooth!

Looking For a Different Valentine’s Day Gift? Try Weleda Wild Rose Facial Care Kit

Weleda Wild Rose Facial Care Kit

In my search for natural and organic beauty products, I came upon the Weleda website at usa.weleda.com. They state, “The Weleda Wild Rose Facial Care line is based upon organic rosehip seed oil and fragrant, organic rosa damascena oil for everyday skin rejuvenation. Valuable rosehip seed oil contains a combination of vitamins and essential fatty acids, which have been found to have remarkable effects on the skin. The essential fatty acids found in rosehip oil make up the structure of every living cell and are vital to the skin’s metabolism. The oil revitalizes dull, tired skin and helps reduce signs of premature aging. Weleda hand-picks organic, wild crafted rosehip seeds and organic rosa damascena flowers through its pioneering fair trade projects.”

If this sounds like something you would like to try, Weleda has recently released the Wild Rose Facial Care Kit ($14.99 USD) . This little kit includes:

Wild Rose Cleansing Lotion, 0.35 fl oz
Wild Rose Facial Toner, 0.35 fl oz
Wild Rose Moisture Cream, 0.35 oz
Wild Rose Night Cream, 0.33 oz
Facial Care Brochure

The great thing about this kit is that because of the small size, it is commitment free (wait, maybe that’s not what you want on Valentine’s Day!). What I mean is that it is sized and priced right so that you can try it and see if this is the skincare regimen for you. Another cool thing about these products are that the packaging is recycled.

I tried it for a couple of weeks. My favorite products are the toner, which takes away all the dirt and makeup that the cleanser may miss and the day cream which absorbs into the skin quickly. This helps makeup application.

One thing about these products are that they are very fragrant and have a strong rose scent. It clashed with my perfume and I could smell it all day. I didn’t really care for that, but if you love rose and need some quality anti-aging skincare, this might be perfect for you!

Want Long, Glossy Lashes? That’s the Claim of Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto

I love the commercials for Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto Mascara ($7.49 USD). The claim is, “The only mascara that does for lashes what stilettos do for legs. ” Sexy lashes, all right! The advertised features of this product are:

The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle
Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length
Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine
Contact lens safe and Ophthalmologist tested

Hmm. Well my lashes were a little longer, but not stiletto-long and definitely not glossy. They were well defined, although not thickened. Maybe a few more coats and they would have been longer.

The one reason I would not buy this is that it flaked so badly that by the end of the day it looked like I didn’t have any mascara on at all!

I think that if you are going to call a mascara “Lash Stiletto” it needs to be fabulous. That’s why I can’t recommend this product.