Beauty – Page 50 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

My 5 Top Finds in 2009 — So Far…

I am so excited, as this is my 100th blog post! I started my blog in September 2008. But since January, I have received lots of fantastic products from fab companies to sample and review. I have looked back and found my 5 very favorite products or companies. These items are so good, I would definitely purchase them!

1. Lipstick Queen Big Bang Illusion Gloss ($20.00 USD www.lipstickqueen.com) — is probably the best gloss I have tried. Its light reflecting particles create the illusion of fuller lips without irritating ingredients. And it is creamy, not sticky. FAB!

2. Anything from Kenzo (www.kenzousa.com)! From their fragrances to their skincare items, Kenzo is all about quality and just plain fabulosity! Their scents are very subtle and fresh, like the Eau de Fleur de The – Tea (1.7 oz , $55.00 USD).

3. EcoTools (www.parispresents.com/EcoTools_s/36.htm) Makes the most wonderful — and affordable — makeup brushes and tools and are created from recycled and sustainable materials. I’m really digging the Foundation Brush ($5.99 USD) and the Recycled Aluminum Retractable Kabuki Brush ($7.99 USD) right now, but their are so many to choose from!

4. Tigi Love, Peace & The Planet line is a really fantastic eco-friendly line for your hair. The Eco Awesome Cranberry Orange Mint Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner($19.95 each USD) smells out of this world! It’s not up on the TIGI Website yet, but it should be soon.

5. LUSH (www.lushusa.com) makes lovely fresh handmade bath and beauty items. I really love their bath bombs! What a fun treat. But they also make quality skincare and haircare.

These are just a few of my favorite products that I have tried. I have been so lucky to love almost everything that I have received. You are welcome to peruse my blog for other awesome items that you haven’t tried yet!

Announcing 100th Blog Post Giveaways!

Hi all! Tomorrow (April 27th) I am going to write my 100th blog post! I have been reviewing beauty products since September of last year and I am loving it more each day!

To commemorate the occasion, I am having 3 different giveaways. They are:

EcoTools Recycled Brow Grooming Kit ($11.99 USD) and Bamboo Powder Puffs ($1.99 USD). EcoTools makes great eco-conscious cosmetic tools. I reviewed the brand in a post on March 29th — http://tiny.cc/VMhLp

It Cosmetics Smokin’ Hot Legs Kit ($69.00 USD) and My Youthful Smile in Kiss Me Now ($32.00 USD) It Cosmetics knows how to make the best of any feature. Check out my review of their my sculpted face on March 23rd — http://tiny.cc/lVhRQ

Yes to Carrots new C Me Blush Lip Tint in Chocolate Kiss ($4.49 USD) and C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Flirty Pink ($6.49). These are brand new products that I have not reviewed yet, but will this week. Yes to carrots makes fantastic natural and organic products that are as good for you as they feel! Check out my reviews on some of their other products at http://tiny.cc/BTfq5 and http://tiny.cc/psr1R

So how do I win these fantastic products, you ask? SO easy! Just leave a comment on any of my posts past or present starting 4/26 (today, yes on this one, too!) through 5/2. I’m going to old-school it by writing all entries down and having each of my 3 lovely daughters pick a name from a bowl! I will then notify you by email and get your mailing address. Good Luck!

Lush Oasis

Lush Oasis (www.lushoasis.com) is a new website that specializes in beauty products from around the world. The founder, Susan Anapol, knows the niche beauty market and knows how to spot quality products and fun trends. She has put together a fabulous collection of fresh and natural items.

I was lucky enough to sample some fragrances from the site, and have found quite a few that I like, particularly from the Comptoir Sud Pacifique and the Acorelle lines. My two favorites scents are:

Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s Aqua Moto (1.6 oz $53.00 USD, 3.3 oz $85.00 USD) — is a fresh, ocean scent that makes me think of summers as a girl on the Oregon Coast. It is so fresh and summery! The notes are:

Top Note: Helychrisum

Heart Notes: Marine Notes, Lily of the Valley, Warm Sand

Base Note: Kelp

: Acorelle Verceine Agrumes Eau De Parfum

Acorelle makes very delicate fragrances. Verveine Agrumes Eau de Parfum ($68.00 USD 50 ml)is very fresh and spring-y. The notes are:

Top Notes: lemon, mandarin, bergamot, orange, armoise

Heart Notes; Lemon petitgrain, cut grass accord, neroly, clary sage

Base Note: Cedar

Visit the Lush Oasis website to discover these and many other wonderful products!

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!

Pamper Yourself with Carol’s Daughter

I have begun the think about Mother’s Day (May 10th) and what I’m going to get for my mother and mother-in-law. Being a beauty blogger, I love giving products that I have tried and enjoyed. Great hint for your mom or other cool lady you love — Carol’s Daughter!

Talk about pampering! The products from this line are rich, luxurious and soothing and are made from natural ingredients. I recommend trying and giving some of these goodies:

Almond Cookie Shea Souffle ($13.00 – 30.00 USD) — This is a whipped body butter. If you love the scent of almonds, this is a good one! The fragrance is a combination of almonds blended with marzipan, sandalwood and musk. It goes on almond-y and dries down to a powdery scent that lingers all day. Even when I’m not wearing perfume, people comment that I smell so good! And it leaves my skin VERY soft.

If your looking for a highly pigmented lip gloss, try Candy Paint ($13.50 USD). – I like that this moisturizing gloss is not too sticky and that the color is well pigmented. It is infused with natural ingredients such as grapeseed oil, shea butter, aloe vera extract and vitamin E to hydrate, condition, protect and soothe your lips. The gloss comes in 15 shades, so their is a great selection. I really like the Bubbling Brown Sugar which is a shimmering bronze that is much darker in the tube then on. Very pretty!

Tui Hair Smoothie ($19.00 USD) — This is essentially a hair mask that you can leave on a few to about 15 minutes to get the conditioning that you need. It is rich in essential oils and Shea and Cocoa butters that provide moisture and protection. My hair gets very dry and frizzy in the Kansas City humidity and I find that this really helps. And like that its paraben-free and doesn’t include petroleum, mineral oil, or artificial color.Visit the website at www.carolsdaughter.com to check out these and other fantastic products. Enjoy!

Get Flawless Skin with Colorescience

Colorescience is known for “blending the line between colore and science”. They have some pretty amazing face products and sunscreen.

Colorescience Sunforgettable ($50.00 USD for the brush applicator) – is a mineral powder 30 SPF sunscreen with broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection. It comes in four different applicators; a brush, a roll-on a shaker can and a puff. You can purchase it in three shades; All Clear (transparent), Perfectly Clear (a light shade) and Almost Clear (a medium shade) and you can get matte or sparkle. This is a very innovative sunscreen. They suggest you apply it over your moisturizer, but I have been using the matte Almost Clear as a setting powder over my foundation and/or Line Tamer primer. It is very light (must be the minerals) and does not clog my pores.

Colorescience Line Tamer ($45.00 USD) — is one of the best primers I have tried. The website states (and I enthusiastically agree), “This beautiful yellow mousse smooths on like velvet and sets to absolute perfection. The yellow colore hides red discoloration while the active ingredients promote the actual reduction of redness in the skin.” This not only hides my redness, it smooths over my pores perfectly! I find that when I use it I don’t need a lot of foundation. I just use a little to cover my dark circles and blemishes. The ingredients include Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, oats and oat beta glucan to reduce the appearance of redness, blue algae extract feeds and tightens the skin, beta carotene and vitamin E to nourish the skin plus an antioxidant cocktail of green tea, lavender and tangerine.

Visit the website at www.colorescience.com, to check out these items as well as their fab mineral foundations, bronzers and other great products!

Redpoint Cosmetics

Being forty, flirty and fabulous, I enjoy trying anti-aging cosmetics. So I was very interested in Redpoint. The website states, “it’s a revolutionary line of color cosmetics infused with breakthrough anti-aging and skin transforming complexes, to make you look and feel better than you ever have.”

I tried a few products from this brand, but my three favorites are:

Transformative Duel Foundation ($42.00 USD) — Redpoint’s new foundation is packaged in a glamorous red compact. The website claims, “Get full coverage in a foundation so weightless, it’s almost like you have nothing on at all! Unique Liquacreme formula glides on like silk, and leaves your skin with a flawless matte finish. Elastimide Amino AC, a proven peptide blend and light diffusing pigments combine to help fill in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so skin looks and feels more youthful.” Like it promises, this foundation gives a smooth, matte finish. It comes in 3 color combinations; Light, Medium and Dark with two shades in each compact. Right now I am using the lightest of my Light compact, but in the summer when I get a bit darker (in spite of my sunscreen), I can combine both of the shades or even use the the darker of the two.

DermaLift Foundation ($42.00 USD) — If you would like a dewier look, this liquid foundation could be right for you. “Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with this sheer, all-in-one foundation, enriched with a proven combination of powerful peptides and moisturizers. The lightweight blend is easily layered, and contains unique light diffusing pigments that create the illusion of younger looking skin. The mineral oil-free, stay put blend is perfect for all skin types.” This is also available in Light, Medium and Dark. It may be lightweight, but it does have great coverage. My skin looks luminous with it on, but for daytime a little powder over if creates a natural, office-appropriate look.

StayPut Eyeliner ($21.00 USD) — “StayPut Eyeliner has a long-wearing, water-resistant, never-smudge formula that features our anti-aging TriPeptide complex to help your eye area appear firmer, smoother and more hydrated.” I LOVE this liner. It goes on extremely smoothly and stays on all day. One end has a sponge on it to use for a smudgey, smokey look. It comes in one color, Conga, which is a lovely, shimmery bronze. It is a beautiful color, but I would love it if they would make more shades!

I definitely recommend this brand to ladies of all ages who wants a little youthful magic in their make up. Visit the website at www.redpointbeauty.com.

Fab Spring Releases from Kenzo

Kenzo is fast becoming one of my favorite brands. From their lovely fragrances to their fabulous skincare, everything I have tried has been wonderful!

FLOWERBYKENZO Spring Fragrance Limited Edition ($52.00 USD 1.7 ox) -This fragrance is a limited edition that will only be available this April on the Kenzo website at www.kenzousa.com.

The Notes are:

Top Notes: Ginger, Mandarin, Lychee Middle Notes: Freesia, Ylang, Parma Violet Base Notes: Incense, White Musk

This is a very soft fragrance. I have noticed that each time I spray it on, I detect a different note. When first applied, the scent is a mix of floral and fruity (I can really detect the mandarin and violet) and dries down to a powdery musk. I really enjoy it and have been receiving many compliments!

The Kenzo Cleansing Ice Jelly ($28.00 USD 5.1 oz) is a new cleanser that is very effective at removing even waterproof eye make up. It is a self-cooling cleansing jelly that turns into a soft, water-like cleanser upon skin contact. It is very refreshing, especially if you chill it before using. The scent is an invigorating flowery ginger. The ingredients include plant water, ginger plant water, ginseng extract, essential oils and trace elements and minerals salts.

You may purchase these products at www.kenzousa.comor use their store locator to find a retailer near you.

Soak Your Cares Away with SALONTEA

I love discovering unusual beauty products that are really fantastic. SALONTEA by Tracy Stern is a company that not only creates teas for drinking, but also creates teas to soak in! I have tried both the BATHTEA and the EYE TEA and have found them both very relaxing.

EYE TEA($16.50 USD for 8) — The websites describes them as “eye pads designed to fit perfectly over your eyes are charged with a soothing blend of organic chamomile tea, angelica root, and witch hazel to bring fast relief to swollen, tired eyes.” To use these, you let them soak in cool or warm water for a minute then place them on your eyes. This feels wonderful and did de-puff my tired eyes. The scent is really soothing as well.

BATHTEA ($16.50 for 3, $33.00 for 6) “Homeothereapeutic bath infusions that combine the benefits of aromatherapy with the direct application of herbal nutrients to your skin to effectively relieve stress, anxiety and insomnia.” These are offered in three scents; Chai, Rose Petal and Vanilla. This is really a fun product. You let it steep in the bath and it’s kind of like you are soaking in a giant cup of tea! My favorite scent was the Chai; it smells a little spicy and exotic and it a good break from the kids (or whatever stresses you).

SALONTEA’s beauty line also includes tea-infused foot soaks, body lotions, body scrubs and lip balms. Visit their website at www.salontea.com

Everyday Minerals

I enjoy trying mineral makeup because it is so good for your skin. Mineral foundation can make you look like your not wearing makeup while covering flaws.

Everyday Minerals has one of the biggest shade selection I have seen. They have six color categories; warm, golden, cool, beige, buff and olive. Each category has at least six shades to choose from. I like the fairly light from the buff category. It matches my skin tone and covers imperfections.

You can purchase the base in 3 sizes — Sample $2.50 USD, Mini $5.00 USD and Big $12.00. The base also comes in four finishes; Semi Matte, Matte, Intensive, and Original Glow.

Visit the website at www.everydayminerals.com to peruse the many varieties of base, bronzers, blushes and eye shadows. Have fun!

Clinique – Classic Cosmetics With a Twist

I was recently sent some classic and new Clinique cosmetics to sample. This is one of the first brands that introduced me to fine cosmetics in my twenties. Before Clinique, I was only wearing drugstore brands. Applying higher-end products made me feel that I was somehow growing up.

So imagine my delight when I opened the package to find Almost Lipstick in Black Honey ($14.00 USD)! This is a product that I haven’t used since the 90’s. It somehow dressed up my grunge-wear back then and now it still gives me a hint of deep color and a lot of moisture. This is a great product for someone who wants to look polished but not heavily made-up.

I also tried a new product from Clinique called Quick Blush ($21.50 USD) in Pronto Pink. I have been using this everyday and I love it. The pigment is in the cap. To use, I swivel the brush just a little and place the cap back on it to pick up the color, then I take it off and use. Its a very nice brush that applies just the right amount of color. I also love the shade, it is pretty on my light skin and I believe it would look fab on most skin tones.

The third product I tried was High Impact Mascara ($14.00 USD). Another classic product, this claims to produce “Instant drama. Volumizes and lengthens lashes for a lusher, plusher, bolder look. Pure, deep colour adds impact.” I agree that it volumizes and lengthens and give a very nice look. The only problem I had is that it smears quite easily. When I wear it, I have to check all day to make sure I don’t have smudges around my eyes.

All-in-all, Clinique is just as innovative and classy as it has always been. You may visit their website at www.clinique.com to browse and purchase products. They are also at most fine department stores.