Friday, June 29, 2007

Estee Lauder Fall 2007 New Items

Well Estee Lauder has lots of goodies in store for the fall season. I have gotten to try many and I think you will like all of them. I can report now on the lip products. The eye ones will have a better review soon.


Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme Compact Makeup: A creme in a compact with SPF 15. Very nice, blendable. Camouflages imperfections, fine lines, wrinkles . $ 33.50

Tender Lip Balm SPF 15- a beautifully packaged lip balm. Deeper shades, more medium with a nice consistency. I love an elegant lip balm and this does the job. Pictured above is Tender Plum, a nice medium plum, This is also very shiny, and contains Vitamins A,C and E as well as soybean oil. $ 14.00


High Gloss Plump- a new plumping version. This has a lipstick like feel and look to it, and is not super sheer . Really nice color and lasting. The plumping feels just a bit tingly. Pictured above is Peach Plump, very pretty. I also have Natural Plump which is beige peach and also pretty. It also helps to boost lips natural collagen. $ 16.00
Natural Ingredients Include:
Capsium frutescens Fruit Extract
Glycine Soja Oil
Ginger Root Oil


Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadowstick- a stick shadow, very creamy , said to be super long lasting, up to 8 hours. I love the colors and it does stick to the hand( as in hard to scrub off stick). I have not tested yet on eyes , so will report on that over the weekend. If this does last that well on me, it will be gold, as eye makeup tends to melt on me. Pictured is Pink Shell and Sand Shimmer ( a nice light tan with some sparkle). There is also Black Pearl among others. It is actually a deep grey not black shade. $ 17.50


Double Wear Zero- Smudge Liquid Eyeliner - 2 beautiful shades one called Midnight, that is a deep graphite brown shade, and the standout After Hours, a shimmery deep plum purple. Said to last for up to 15 hours, the point brush is super slim for precise painting. ( No retail figure yet)

Pleasures Delight- a new EDP addition to the Pleasures line, this is more gourmand. It has some things in common with Angel, but is far lighter. Freesia figures prominently to my nose as well as the gourmand note of caramel. 45.00 -65.00




The company is also repackaging and reformulating Idealist Skin Refinisher. It is now 3 times as strong as it was.

All items will be available in August

Reviews of the eyeshdow and liner to come.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

My new favorite eyeshadow: Urban Decay Stray Dog


I had to try this new shadow from Urban Decay, first there is the name Stray Dog.
I also have Stray Dog lipstick ( although not a great shade for me) and the nail polish, which came years ago in a Todd Oldham dog dish with 2 others called Alley Cat and Shelter.


This shadow is the perfect taupe, more brown than beige-grey. It has such a smooth, velvet feel, goes on nicely and has medium shimmer. Hot Dog is more like it. A great all around , all the time shadow.


Urban Decay eyeshadows retail for 16.00 at Sephora, Ulta, and many department stores.


By the way, on the website, they are offering an eyeshadow kit box for 15.00 when you buy six shadows. It's very nice if you have a large collection of Urban Decay.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Maybelline paints it black




Maybelline has joined the black nail bandwagon with a new 60 second Express Finish in Onyx Rush ( at least I think this is new). They have lots of info on their website page:
http://www.maybelline.com/mca/runway-trends/express-finish.aspx?




Friday, June 22, 2007

C Shock Color Swatched

Got my hands on some C Shock and I have to say it is way more wearable than you would think. The colors mostly are sheer. I took pictures of some of the shadows and lipsticks on my hands to give you an idea. From right I have on Eyepopping- acid green yellow which you can barely see here, I wore this today and it goes on really well, almost semi matte and looks nice, Fab & Flashy- orangy bronze, Wondergrass, a beautiful green that is the love child of Swimming and Juxt, and Big T, a deep teal that does not go on sheer but on one with dark hair and eyes would look great.


The lips are Overrich lipstick- I LOVE this, sort of close to a Paul and Joe favorite from last year, Sugar Shock Lipgelee- very sheer berry, She-Boom Lipgelee, a fushia like deeper tint.

These colors are sort of an 80s look according to MAC, but I see that mainly in the lip products. The eyes were not so strong in color then( although bright yellow was one used), but the lips , yes. Hot Pink was big. C Shock also has a nice medium berry pink lipstick, and a pale blue lipstick. It really is blue on too. That is 80s for sure. You had to rock the New Wave or Punk scene but it was there.

I am pleasantly suprised by this collection and they are so fun to look at. There may be something for you even if you don't think it. C Shock is on the counters until July 18th.


















photos : the Alchemist


Sp. Thanks to H.P





Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Rapper Eve Wears MAC C Shock in Video


Rap Star Eve is wearing colors from the new MAC Collection C Shock in her latest video Tambourine. Her makeup artist JJ( former MAC artist) asked to use these colors.





I love the lips in this picture. The eyes rock, but it is certainly not a " street " look.
The colors used in this pic are per MAC :
Mega Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Saddle Eye Shadow
Electric Eel
Bang On Blue Shadow ( c shock)
Technikohl Pencil in Auto-de Blue
Fancy Ray Crème Blush

Eve and JJ will be holding with MAC a live chat on Wednesday June 27 from 5:00-6:00 PM EST. The link is:

Feel free to join in and talk MAC.

Monday, June 18, 2007

NIOXIN Hair Care

I was given the opportunity to try out several NIOXIN Hair Products awhile ago. Some of the products weren't what I needed, so to give them a fair shake, I shared them with two guest testers with hair difficulties. One is a double processed blonde who needs volume, and moisture for her fine hair, but not greasiness. The other is a man who spends all day in the sun, has thin hair and has an itchy scalp a lot. We were all impressed and happy with what we tried.

Ok here we go:

NIOXIN Treatment System 7

I tried the shampoo from NIOXIN treatment set 7 .This set is for medium coarse, normal to thin, chemically enhanced hair. It contains GlycoColor Shield which is said to help the hair retain color.


Now I was worried that this would be too much moisture for my hair, as I have oilier hair, but do have highlights also. I waited to use until after highlights were added again. This shampoo cleans really well, but does not overly mositurize. It's just right. I used light conditioning and my hair stayed great. I like the idea that it will help keep the highlighting from fading as fast. I have used it for 2 shampoos so far. Obviously , I need to wait a little longer for full results, but overall I like this, and will buy it again.




Deep Repair Hair Masque

Our Double Processed Blonde tested the Deep Repair Hair Masque. Her word to me was " fantastic". She said" that hair repair is fantastic". Now these are serious words of praise from a lady who has a closet full of reject hair products both high and low end. She has been using Aveda Deep Conditioner for some time, and she is thinking of staying with the Nioxin now.

She said it not only really softened the hair (almost too much if left on too long) but it even boosted volume . Her hair looked great.


It is recommended to leave it on for 5 minutes for best results.It is meant for seriously damaged hair.

The test of tests to her was the consistency of the product. It was very thick in the tube, a sign of a good one.



System 7 Scalp Therapy

Our guy tried the scalp therapy from my treatment system set . The scalp therapy is put on in the shower after shampooing, left on for a couple minutes and the rinsed out. It conditions the hair and scalp, moisturizing both. He thought it worked very well. A man of few words. However, I noticed right off that his hair seemed softer, and fuller. Much less dry than before.

He also said it did seem to calm the itching scalp.



NIOXIN Products are available at Ulta stores and many salons ( listed on the NIOXON website)


www. NIOXIN .com



Treatment System 7 retails for 39.99


The Deep Repair Masque is 13.99 for 5.1 ounce and comes in a larger size.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

New From L'Occitane



Per Elle, there are 2 new, interesting products from L'Occitane to help our overheated selves . Cooling Mousse for legs, and powder-gel for feet. Now I remember the Body Shop leg cooling gel and spray. The spray was ok, the gel ok. I think these look worth trying and hopefully are better than the Body Shop.

L'Occitane also has a Lemon Verbena deodorant out( also cooling)

"This alcohol-free stick deodorant:- glides on very easily and dries fast- prevents bacteria development, that causes body odor- has the long-lasting scent of the fresh and sparkling citrus. Formula free from alcohol, paraben and aluminum salt."


This is a must try. Sells for 15.00. No prices on the other products yet, and they have not been listed on the website yet,either.




Photos: elle.com, L"occitane.com
Info: L'Occitane.com

Friday, June 15, 2007

MAC C Shock

I am back , at last. Thanks for hanging in.

I just received info on MAC C Shock, which isn't overly new news, but I will post it anyway. I will hopefully have more info on it next week. The collection is up for sale at MAC site. ( Wondergrass shadow shown)



FOR THE BOLD, THE BAD, THE WILDLY DARING.
CREATE A PALETTE: PICK THREE TO ADD DASH,
TWO TO CLASH…OR SELECT JUST ONE!
SEE HOW IT ELECTRIFIES YOUR LOOK.
WITH COLOUR THIS HYPED,
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR FASHION WIMPS,
STYLE-WUSSES OR THE TINE-TIMID.
HIGH-ENERGY, SHADE-POWER UNLIMITED IN
LIPSTICKS, LIPGELEES, AND EYE SHADOWS.
IF COLOUR IS YOUR THING, DON’T BE SHY.
Lipstick
Blast O’ Blue Sheer mid-tone blue (lustre)
Overrich Creamy silver pink with white pearl (glaze)
Out To Shock Soft metallic coral with silver pearl (frost)
Vivacious Sheer mid-tone pink with silver pearl (lustre)
Pomposity Bright raspberry with silver and pink pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Lipgelee
She-Boom! Creamy magenta (cream)
Lil’ Sizzler Metallic peach with pink and white pearl (frost)
Mega Soft metallic lavender with silversparkle (frost)
Sugar Shock Sheer red berry (cream)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Eye Shadow
Going Bananas Soft lemon yellow (frost)
Eyepopping Soft lime green with gold and yellow pearl (satin)
Wondergrass Intense kiwi green (frost)
Big T Intense aqua with green pearl (frost)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Internet Troubles

I am having internet connecting troubles as of last night. It's on now, and hopefully will stay, but it goes off at times.
If I don't post for a day or so, thats why. Will be on the phone with service again tonight.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

New at Nordstrom


Nordstrom has an exclusive to them set of Trish McAvoy #9 fragrance. This is a wonderful blackberry musk fragrance that is great for the hot months. I am thinking the body scrub is new.

The set includes per the website:

#9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Body Polish Sugar Scrub: Treat your skin to a skin-softening treatment. Rich, creamy and infused with sugar granules and sea salt, Body Polish Sugar Scrub gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it velvety smooth to the touch. Richly scented with the warm aromatic scent of Blackberry & Vanilla Musk.

#9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Bath & Shower Gel (2 oz.): A luxurious, scented, foaming cleansing gel that washes head-to-toes and leaves skin feeling silky-smooth. Infused with the alluring scent of Blackberry & Vanilla Musk.-

#9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Eau de Parfum (0.5 oz.): A youthful and inviting blend of sweet blackberries and vanilla mixed with the warm aromas of musk and white rose.

Set sells for 75.00

www. nordstrom.com
also coming to the store exclusivley is a set of Vera Wang Princess Perfume " pearls", they are little capsules that contain just enough fragrance for an application. Apparently they come in a jeweled container. This was in Marie Claire July Issue, but I cannot find a pic online.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Edgier Looks in NY at Tony's

This Sunday's Tony Awards brought out the celebs like many award shows, but the look was more edgier, dark smoky eyes, dramatic dresses. Less glam than LA but better in a way and still glamourous.

Melina Kanakaredes rocked with a cut to there backless gown, Swoosie Kurtz shows you can still be sexy and vampy at any age,
and Claire Danes sharing the smoky eyes of the previous ladies glowed with an unusual choice of gown that was beautiful.













Friday, June 8, 2007

Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation


After much ado it seems, I am using and loving this powder foundation from Estee Lauder. It took several tries to get the right shade, a light enough one, For some reason the first time the SA tested it on me, he went for a deeper shade than I am. I think I was trying yet another makeup that was too dark, so maybe that was it.

With the wrong shade it looked truly bad. Too cakey, powdery, and well, bad. I really didn't think it was for me at all. I persevered( because I like powder foundations and was determined to give this a test). I am glad I did. With the right shade it looks great, not cakey at all. It blends well, and at first seems a bit powdery , but quickly blends into the skin for a nice medium finish.

The foundation is long wearing according to the packaging, and it really is. I have been using it a lot in the past few weeks, and reach for it most days now. Today was blast furnace hot and humid and this combined with some Bourjois Matte Lovely foundation ( another lasting, matte winner), it stayed shine free almost for the whole day. I used it as a touch up once over the other foundation, and I was ready.

When I use it by itself it holds up equally well, even on the t- zone. The one thing I find is that it doesn't cover spots as well. You need extra help there, and I often don't use concealer.
It keeps the oil down( without primer under), and looks good long.

Double Wear Powder retails for 32.00 and is larger than most powders. ( 32.00 qualifies for bonus, so buy it then if you decide to get it)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

My new favorite cleanser


Garnier's cleanser line came out here in January. I had looked at them a lot but never tried any.

I finally tried the Nutri Pure Detoxifying Cream Cleanser this week. I love it. I am often searching for a great cleanser, and not finding them . I try a lot, and then try more.

The Garnier cream cleanser really gets the makeup off. It is very thick and you only need a little. It is very soft and it smells great. Really great, like Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Fragrance.

The cleanser does have Green leaf extract, as well as Vitamins E, B5, and Grape Extract. All to help the skin.

Skin feels very soft after cleansing and in this weather, I need no moisturizer after. In winter, this would be even better.


I have my eye on the gel version of this, and may try that, but I will return to this cleanser. I am as impressed with a cleanser as I have been in a while. The last was DDF Glycolic cleanser, which I loved, but I really didn't like the 25.00 price tag. I prefer to spend less on cleanser if I can.


The Garnier Cleansers retail at 5.99 and CVS will have them next week at 4.99



Dark Nails Still Rocking the Runway


At the CFDA Awards Debra Messing was sporting very dark nails, either black or super dark purple to go with her pretty purple dress. Eevn though we have been hearing about more brights for summer, apparently the dark nail look goes on. Something different for summer. I think it looks good on Ms. Messing.
Michael Kors dressed all the ladies doing their " Angel " imitation here.
photo:hello magazine

Monday, June 4, 2007

Summer Must Haves 1


Cosmedicine Medi Matte is the first, and only mattifier I have used that really works. I love this. I hoard this. I have used many by other brands and they may have helped a little but Medi Matte actually works long term on the T zone.

It is a thick cream gel that goes on easily and only needs a minute to sink in. I then apply my foundation and am ready to go. It keeps the oilies at bay quite well for hours. It also has SPF 20.
A tube costs 42.00 at Sephora, so it's not cheap but cheaper than the 2 others I have that I don't use in the end.


Sephora should be able to make you a sample, so try it if you can.


This is the first in My Summer Must Haves Posts. Hopefully I will get to share more of my finds with you soon in between new info.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Maybelline Define A Lash



I have been wanting to try this for awhile, and finally have. I used it today, thinking I could probably not do a review until I see how it fares in the lasting on the eyes category. Well I was just out for awhile in the 90% humidity we have been having, with 90 degree temps, and it didn't budge a bit, so review is on.

This mascara is relatively new from Maybelline, debuted in March.

It has a very flexible wand, and goes on very easily but needs several coats to get going. After 3 coats I had very long lashes. It does define the lashes individually, and lengthens. It does not add any volume, but the packaging does not claim that anyway. It is meant as a lengthener.

Each lash was spiky and long, and stayed that way. I used Very Black but didn't think it super dark, just a bit darker,maybe.

Overall I like this so far. I tend to like the volume as well, but will definitely use this. I especially like that it is smudge free.

Update next day : In the rainstorm today, this did smudge just a bit. It's very hard to have a mascara that doesn't smudge on me. I have a few that I love, but I like to try new ones sometimes. That said, this is still nice and if you don't have smudge difficulties, give it a try. I will use it again, just not in the rain.


Define a Lash is available at all drugstores, retails at 7.95