Tag: cosmetics

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!

Too Faced Contest “Friends Don’t Let Friends Miss Deals!” on Facebook

Too Faced is currently running a contest on their Facebook Page. It involves you letting your Facebook friends know about fabulous Too Faced cosmetics and in return you receive Too Faced’s exclusive employee discount. Cool, huh? For more details, watch this video by Too Faced founder Jerrod Blandino: 

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=589830997360&ref=mf

The contest runs through August 31, 2010. Enjoy saving!

FACE Stockholm 2010 Fall Collection

Want a sneak peek at a fall look that pairs classic beauty with cutting edge colors and products? FACE Stockholm has the following coming this Autumn: 

FACE Stockholm’s look for Autumn 2010 pays homage to its sister season with the enduring warm, bronzy tones of summer still radiating. Worn with confidence, grace and wit, by Swedish pop sensation September, the eyes sparkle with joy and light and the lips dazzle and entice with an insightful eloquence that leaves us eagerly awaiting the release of September’s song. “Wearing makeup is more than just making myself look pretty,” says the pop chanteuse. “It’s about art. It’s a way of expressing myself and creating my own fashion.”

This autumn, hear the call of September’s song! Start with a clean base of the right Liquid Foundation and priming products, plus false eyelashes for some dramatic extra volume and then work in the following key elements to achieve the perfect glowing look for the season:

Mineral Powder Foundation – Borgholm
Myrrah Brow Shadow
Ebony and Platina Matte Eye Shadows
#9 Pearl Eye Shadow
Details Eye Dust
Mystery Gel Eyeliner
Splendid Blush
Karin Lip Pencil
Seduction Lipstick

All products available at all FACE Stockholm locations and www.facestockholm.com.

Paint Your Face Beautiful Naturally, with Josie Maran Cosmetics.

I have been wanting to try and to review Josie Maran’s Natural makeup for a while, because it is glamorous as well as great for you and the environment. Josie Maran is a former top model who had a contract with Maybelline that lasted 10 years — which is amazing. She loved learning makeup trips from the artists, but decided to make a cosmetics line that complimented her natural and organic lifestyle. Thus Josie Maran Cosmetics was born!

I have tested ( and love ) the following products:   

Mascara ($22.00 USD) — First of all this is a great mascara. It lengthens and defines my lashes without clumping or smearing. Plus it is paraben and fragrance free and contains organic ingredients like Jojoba oil, Argan oil and Beeswax to condition and strengthen. I love the fact that my lashes are being treated as I am wearing one of my favorite types of beauty products (I never leave the house without mascara).  Available in Black and Brown.

Eye Shadow ($20.00 USD) — This is  beautiful, velvety eye color that glides on and blends so easy. The ingredients are natural plus paraben and fragrance free — and even cooler is the fact that each shade comes in a state-of-the-art biodegradable compact.  You can apply the shadows dry, or wet for more intensity.  Available in 27 shades. I have Beach (shimmery pale sand), Embrace (shimmery coppery brown), and Divine (matte medium brown). All three shades work together seamlessly to make a natural look or a pretty smoky eye.  

Lip Gloss ($18.00 USD) — I love a good, non-sticky lip gloss — and I have found a great one here! Full of natural and organic ingredients, this gloss contains no parabens. Available in 6 shades. I have Confession, which is a coppery gold. It looked very shimmery in the tube and I thought it might be too coppery for me. But it goes on sheer and very pretty.

Visit www.josiemarancosmetics.com to learn more and to purchase these fab natural products.

Try the New and Revolutionary Cosmetics Company Ellis Faas

Cool new makeup company alert!  Ellis Faas brand was created by famous Dutch makeup artist Ellis Faas. She has worked for influential cosmetics companies such as Clinique, Lancome and MAC. In 2007 Ellis began working on her own makeup company, and its revolutionary cosmetic holder.

The Ellis Holder is really cool. Here’s a great description of the holder from the Ellis Faas website:

“The Holder is a lightweight container that fits a maximum of eight Ellis Faas products – and it is completely up to you to decide which ones you want to carry around. You simply “load” the Holder, placing the Skin Veil foundation in the middle and six pens around it. The indicators on the back of the pens show you which product is what, and by turning the base of the Holder, the pens come up and down individually to make it easy to take them out. The lid contains a mirror and holds a space to put the compact powder and sponge, or your shopping list, your pills, or whatever.”

When closed, the container looks like a bullet thermos and the pens itself look like silver bullets. They are so cool and very easy to use. I have tried the Creamy Lips liquid lipstick, Creamy Eyes, and the Blush. The Creamy Eyes and Lips have a brush applicator and the Blush has a little sponge. They are all easy to apply and can be blended with a brush or fingers for a soft look. All of the products are fairly long-lasting, too. And the eye shadow doesn’t crease, which is a plus!   

Check out the website to learn more about the products at www.ellisfaas.com. To purchase in the United States, you can visit Bergdorf Goodman.

Kiss My Face Sheer Organic Lip Shimmers and Shines

Kiss My Face is an organic beauty company that believes that nature creates the best ingredients and that its their job to combine these natural and organic ingredients into fabulous body care.

On of their newer products are the Sheer Organic Shimmers ($4.95 USD) & Shines ($6.95 USD). These good-for-you lip colors contain natural mineral color, vitamins A&E to repair and protect lips and have a minty organic flavor. They also contain organic shea butter for protection and shine, organic cocoa butter to soothe and jojoba oil to moisturize. All are earth friendly products containing no parabens, SLS, phthalates, synthetic colors or flavors, and use of animal ingredients or testing.

My favorite of the two is the lip shimmer. This is a very sheer lip balm that has a hint of color and leaves a really pretty shimmer to the lips. It is very moisturizing and stays on my lips for a long time. The flavor is subtle, too. The lip shine is nice as well, and is not a sticky gloss which is very good. It is for when you want a lot of shine, but its minty taste is almost overwhelming.

I recommend these affordable and fun lip colors! Both products come in 6 jewel-toned shades: Opal, Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, Topaz and Ruby. Visit www.kissmyface.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

Try Something New with Vis-à-Vis Cosmetics

Vis-à-Vis Cosmetics was created by Theresa Rivera and Karen Kretschmann to address the needs of today’s modern woman. They have a range of product that include face powder, blush, lip products and combination choose-your-0wn-shade sets. 

I tried two Vis-à-Vis blushes, my favorite being the Smooth Wear Blush ($16.00 USD on sale for $5.00). This is a glowy, but not a shimmery blush and is appropriate for day or evening. It goes on smooth and even, but being well pigmented, you only need a little for a beautiful glow.  This is available in 5 shades: Ginger Spice, Mirabelle (a deep plum), Naked Truth, Peach Passion and Rose Rapture. 

Luminous Blush ($16.00 USD on sale for $5.00) is also a pretty blush, but has a lot of shimmer. This can be used as a blush, but also as an illuminator for eyes, cheeks, shoulders and décolletage.  The unique formulation contains micro pearls and it blends evenly. I tried Diva Dust, which is a light golden bronze. It is also available in Golden Dust and Star Dust.

The non-sticky Lip Glaze ($18.00 USD on sale for $5.00) is so pretty! It’s available in 10 shades. I have been using Innocence, a sandy-nude color. It is soft and pretty alone — or use it for a bit of drama over matte lipsticks. This gloss is shimmery and has lots of shine. It doesn’t have a taste (which is fine by me), but smells like yummy vanilla.

Get a flawless finish with the Face Powder ($13.00 USD on sale for $5.00).  This claims to provide flawless coverage and even out skin tone with a radiant finish. It contains sunflower seed oil, oat kernel extract, vitamins A&E and chamomile to help soothe and protect skin.  I find that this is smooth and silky, and doesn’t cake in my lines and pores. Available in three shades: Light Balance, Medium Balance and Dark Balance. I used the Light Balance, which looks very light in the compact, but is almost translucent on.

You might have noticed that all of these products are on sale for $5.00 each! Very affordable and a good chance to try something new. I am impressed with every thing I tried, so I don’t think you can go wrong with the price. I don’t know how long the sale will last. Visit www.visaviscosmetics.com to purchase these fab products!

Holiday Gift Sets From It Cosmetics

It Cosmetics — the masters of makeup magic — have created 2 fabulous gift sets in time for the holiday. They are:  

My Youthful Smile Gift Set ($39.00 USD, a $98.00 value) — Three full size My Youthful Smiles Dual Smile Brightening Gloss & Smile-Line Wrinkle Fill, come in a beautiful gift box with a tag. You get one gloss in each color:

 Signature Blue — Goes on clear

Pretty Woman — Pretty Pink 

Kiss Me Now — Rich Red Berry

This innovative gloss is the winner of the 2009 Cosmetic Innovator of the Year Award! My Youthful Smile has Smile Line Wrinkle Fill creme with collagen and antioxidants on one end to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth – and Smile Brightening Lip Plumping Collagen Gloss on the other end with blue based pigments specially designed to counteract the yellow in your teeth and make your smile whiter instantly! This is a really great gloss that does double duty and is perfect for women whose lips are showing their age. I love the plumpness and the shine I get from it.

Nail Love Gift Set ($29.00 USD, $43.50 value)) — Three Full Size Nail Love™ Nail and Cuticle Treatment Pens. Nail and Cuticle Treatment Pen: Treat and condition cuticles and strengthen nails with hydrolyzed collagen – plus this exclusive formula has an anti-yellowing complex! Combine that with the healing eucalyptus leaf oil, nourishing jojoba and sweet almond oil, and power anti-oxidant and Vitamin B5 complex. I love the luxurious feel that you get from this product. Also the other end of the applicator has a soft tapered end that can be used to push cuticles back. This product and a good buffer can lead to natural and beautiful nails without polish!

Visit www.itcosmetics.com to learn more and purchase these and other great gift ideas for the woman who wants a polished look. Enjoy!