Product Round-Up — My Fave Beauty Things Week of July 14th

We had a fairly cool week (mid to high 70’s) in Kansas City, and I have been loving it.  It is heating up again (taking my girls to the water park this weekend), so we are trying to stay cool!

So what am I loving this week?  A waterproof crème eyeliner, a BB cream for the body, a yummy-scented chocolate facial cleanser (seriously), a sweet and sultry summer fragrance, and a beautiful bronzer palette.

Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Envy
Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Envy

Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Envy — An ultra-smooth, water-proof creamy eye liner that applies with the ease and smooth silky finish of a gel and the precision of a liquid liner. Smudge and transfer-resistant, this long-wearing formula goes on “foolproof” with the Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush.

What I think:  This is a brand new color from the new Sensual Reflections collection and it is here for a limited time only.  I like the formula because it’s creamy and glides right on with an eyeliner brush.  The color is a dark emerald and I think it will be perfect in the fall as well as now.  This liner comes in other great colors such as Cobalt, a bright blue that is perfect for summer.

Available at http://www.lauramercier.com

Osmotics Cellulite Control Body Glow CC Cream
Osmotics Cellulite Control Body Glow CC Cream

Osmotics Cellulite Control Body Glow CC Cream ($75 USD) — This triple action formula contains three clinically proven technologies to target dimpled skin, edema and cellulite at its source. Natural actives visibly reduce localized fat deposits promoting firmer contours and a more toned silhouette.  Flavonoids and antioxidants enhance collagen and strengthen the extracellular tissue for smoother texture and dimple free skin. This luxurious golden lotion hydrates, nourishes and color corrects with a beautiful soft focus finish that erases imperfections for instant radiance and a natural glow. Bare is beautiful with this multi-tasking body perfector!

What I think: This luxe cream is perfect for perfecting summer skin.  It makes my skin look smoother and more toned (perfect while wearing a swimsuit).  I am going to use it until I am out to see if my cellulite looks better.

Availableat select Nordstrom, Soft Surroundings locations and on osmotics.com

Karin Herzog Finest Chocolate Cleansing
Karin Herzog Finest Chocolate Cleansing

Karin Herzog Finest Chocolate Cleansing ($55 USD) — Remove all traces of cosmetics and impurities with this professional grade, dual action cleanser and makeup remover. Formulated with pure essential oils, the Finest Chocolate Cleansing helps to unclog pores, dissolve impurities and remove waterproof makeup, while conditioning the skin. The cleanser contains luxurious Swiss chocolate for a sweet scent and extra hydration, leaving the complexion supple, soft and radiant.

What I think: This is a gorgeous cleanser!  Smells amazing and really cleans my skin.  I like to use it at night to remove my makeup because it works really well.

Available online via www.karinherzog.com

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer
Calvin Klein Eternity Summer

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer ($34.19, and $27.35 with a coupon code on http://www.fragrance.net) — A resonant and flowery scent for women that radiates casual sophistication for any time of day, Eternity Summer perfume by Calvin Klein is a mature yet subtle choice that will turn heads wherever you travel. Introduced by iconic style and fashion leader Calvin Klein in 2008, Eternity Summer is composed of a perfect balance of musk, tangerine pulp, wood, frangipani and pineapple. It’s an attention-drawing fragrance that works just as well for a relaxed evening out with friends as for coffee with a romantic partner. 

What I think: This gorgeous scent is a great mix of sweet and sexy and is perfect for hot summer days and nights.  I usually go for fresh scents, but I am loving this for summer!

Available at http://www.fragrance.net

Mally Beauty Believable Bronzer
Mally Beauty Believable Bronzer

Mally Beauty Believable Bronzer (retails for: $49.50, now: $37.13): The secret is in using these three powders to achieve that glow-from-within look–a tanning powder for all over color, a shimmer to highlight, and a beautiful sun-kissed shade that’s designed to make your cheeks glow. Unlike traditional bronzers, there is no shimmer in Mally Beauty’s bronzer formula. Instead, the bronzer works in tandem with a warm blush and a sheer shimmer. This allows you to apply color and highlights specific areas of your face, as the sun naturally does, instead of all over. Shades are available in Lighter (shown) and Deeper.

What I think: This is a great product and a great deal right now.  It includes two gorgeous brushes along with the palette. The colors are soft and build really well and used together, really make the skin glow.  I also like to use the bronzer and highlighter on my neck and décolleté.

Available at http://www.mallybeauty.com

What products are you loving this week?

 

Mother’s Day Beauty Gift Guide — Part 2, Fragrances

Fragrance is a classic gift for Mother’s Day.  I know a lot of people shy away from giving their loved ones new fragrances, since you never really know if they will like it.  But if you know what types of fragrance notes she likes, you can find a new scent she may just love!

My new finds are:

Balenciaga L’Eau Rose
Balenciaga L’Eau Rose

Balenciaga L’Eau Rose — With “L’Eau Rose”, Balenciaga introduces the third opus in its’ fragrant dynasty. A sparkling melody that sings of a radiant violet as light as the caress of spring. Its pure pink color seems to quiver behind the thick glass of the bottle. The matte black cap contrasts with the deceptive tenderness of Eau Rose.
Top:         Green pear, blackberry, spicy notes
Mid:         Violet, rose, jasmine sambac, aromatic notes
Base:         Cedar and cypress essence, musk, patchouli and iris
Available Feb 2013 at specialty stores nationwide.
50ml $90

Just Cavalli
Just Cavalli

Just Cavalli —  The Just Cavalli woman is a playful temptress. This creamy sexy floral is packaged in a beautiful flacon made of pink glass and gold metal that is wrapped with a pink python skin collar, reminiscent of the animal instinct it can unleash. Rising model Georgia May Jagger is the face of the global campaign.
Top:         Neroli
Mid:         Tiare Flower
Base:         Palissander
Available Feb 2013 at specialty stores nationwide.
50ml $60.00

VINCE CAMUTO for Women
VINCE CAMUTO for Women

VINCE CAMUTO for Women — This first fragrance by Vince Camuto is contemporary, sexy and sophisticated. The top notes are enriched with intoxicating notes of rum absolute and osmanthus nectar. A heart is opulent and floral, composed of Bulgarian rose and night blossoming jasmine enhanced with leather notes, while a base incorporates vanilla, absolute, sensual patchouli, hot Brazilian amber and leathery musk. Fragrance Vince Camuto is available in a gorgeous glass flacon with stylish cap shaped like logo of the brand. 1.7 oz bottle..

Price: 3.4 oz. Eau de Parfum Spray $78.00

Availability: www.vincecamuto.com, Vince Camuto boutiques and major department stores

Vintage Bloom by Jessica Simpson
Vintage Bloom by Jessica Simpson

Vintage Bloom by Jessica Simpson — Vintage Bloom, the new fragrance from Jessica Simpson, is a soft, sheer romantic floral, a subtle harmony of garden flowers wafting by on a summer breeze. Crisp vibrant citrus notes open up Vintage Bloom to raspberry blossom, a light fresh floral accord and a burst of stardust peony. It then blossoms into warm sensuality, inviting notes of crisp cotton musk and Indian sandalwood. Feminine and sensual, beautiful and accessible, this fragrance captures Jessica’s own charming, natural style.

Price: 3.4 oz. Eau de Parfum Spray $65.00

Availability: Major department stores, http://www.jessicasimpson.com

Eternity Summer 2013 Calvin Klein for women
Eternity Summer 2013 Calvin Klein for women

ETERNITY summer captures the natural beauty of seashells glistening in the sand on a warm summer day.
Top: Seabreeze, aquatic accord, sparkling bergamot
Mid: Wisteria, living cotton flower, osmanthus
Base: Musk, white amber, sandalwood
100 ml $58.00

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Sunshine
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Sunshine

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh Sunshine
Top:         Strawberry, apple blossom, pink grapefruit
Mid:         Jasmine petals, day lily, rose
Base:         Violet leaf, white oak moss, amber wood
2.5oz $75.00

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret
Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret ($45 USD) — Treat yourself to a delicious trio of Laura’s best-selling gourmande fragrance sprays.  This limited edition collection includes three perfectly portable Eau Gourmandes in Vanille, Fresh Fig and Almond Coconut Milk. Warm, fresh and exotic, wear your favorite alone, or blend and layer for a custom gourmande scent.

Available at www.lauramercier.com and fine department stores.

Enjoy!

Mother’s Day Fragrance Gift Guide 2012

Hey ladies (and gents??) — I have been testing some great new Spring/Summer scents that would be perfect for the any fab mother in your life — or yourself, why not?  I know I am going to be rocking a few of these sweet-smellers myself!  And there are a lot to choose from:

I’ll start with my favorite one — CK One Summer ($48 USD).  This one has a very cool lime green bottle with orange writing and cap.  I had to pry it out of my teenager’s hands (I gave her Madonna’s new scent, don’t feel bad for her!).  I love this beechy, unisex scent because it is so fresh and light.  I see myself enjoying it all Spring and Summer long!

Top notes:        Blue mint, Cucumber, Lime, Bergamot

Mid notes:        Watery accord, Green Apple, Rosemary, Water lotus

Base notes:        Rum cocktail, Sandalwood, Driftwood, Sea moss

Available at department and specialty stores nationwide beginning March 2012.

Madonna Truth or Dare

It’s difficult to tell by the photo, but this is a very cool white glass bottle.  Truth or Dare by Madonna ($68.00 USD 2.5 oz/75ml)  represents the dual forces that coexist in all of us. Madonna was inspired by her own Mother’s signature scent when she created this sophisticated fragrance. On first sniff, Gardenia is very apparent.  You then get the richer notes such as Amber, Vanilla and Musk.  Very sweetly sexy, but not too strong.

Top: Rich Gardenia, Creamy Tuberose, Dewy Neroli

Mid: Carnal Jasmine, Benzoin Tears, White Lily Petals

Base: Vanilla Absolute, Caramelized Amber, Sensual Musk Aura

Available exclusively at Macys.

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer ($58 USD) is bright and fresh.  It is also light, which is perfect for ever day wear in the Summer time.

Top notes:        Orange blossom, Sparkling Sicilian Bergamot, Japanese Pear Martini Accord

Mid notes:        Hydroponic Gardenia, White Peony Petals, Blue Hyacinth

Base notes:        White Musks, Tonka bean, Heliotrope

Available at department and specialty stores nationwide.

L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette ($45 USD 2.5 oz) — The Limited Edition Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette celebrates the most tender garden Peony, with its pastel shades and large, luscious petals. This fragrance blends the delicateness of Peony petals with the fresh green scents of rose and Lily of the Valley. Made with a Peony extract from the Drôme region of France, this fragrance has a luminous floral accord with a soft powdery trail.

L’Occitane products can be purchased at L’Occitane boutiques nationwide or at usa.loccitane.com.

 

Glowing by JLO ($65.00 2.5oz/75ml) For the super feminine Mom, this Floral Woody Amber scent embodies the aura of a modern woman. The bottle was inspired by the beauty and the lines of Baccarat crystal, when the atomizer is pressed, the bottle beautifully illuminates for 15 seconds.  This is a soft fruity-floral that is as fun to apply as it is to wear!

Top notes:        Bergamot, Mandarin, Cypress

Mid notes:         Orange Flower, Muguet des Bois, Cassia Flower

Base notes:   Sandalwood, Amber Sultan, Vanilla, Vetiver, Patchouli, Cashmere Musk

Available April 2012 at Kohl’s nationwide.

Elite Models Rio Glam Girl ($9 USD) –  This is a fun, affordable fragrance for Mom or for yourself. Captures the vibrant, celebratory spirit of the home of Carnivale.

Top notes: acai berry and juicy starfruit

Heart notes: princess peony, jasmine and violet flower

Base notes: sandalwood and palisander wood

I did a giveaway that included this scent and 3 others (https://fortyflirtyfabulous.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/giveaway-elite-model-fragrances/), but this is my favorite.  It will be perfect for the warm months of this time of year.

Enjoy!