Thursday, May 29, 2014

Scunci Has A New Scrunchie



Scrunchie's are having a return moment of sorts, have you  heard ? They actually went down some of the Fall '14 runways.  I just don't know about that .   I wore them occasionally like most people in the early- mid 90s.  I had some really nice ones and they only went on a ponytail. No pouffy hair with a scrunchie  look.

Now scrunchies are back and Scunci has designed a new look scrunchie . This new look is more streamlined and modern. It doesn't look too much like those old ones.  This new one wraps two to three times around hair, comes in a thin , stretchy fabric that is easy  on hair  and looks pretty unassuming minus the pop of color  if you go for the blue etc.


These scrunchies are pretty easy basics for Summer and I think I'll get some use of out of them. So what about you? Are you up for new scrunchies ?

Prices are between $3.49-3.99 for pack of two .


Also new are 3X Stronger Braided Hair Elastic Hair Ties.  I have them in black but there is a multi color pack as well. They have plenty of stretch and have just a bit more "look" than a basic elastic. They would also , naturally, make a great accompaniment to a braid.  Packs have 6 each.




Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Vaseline New Intensive Care Aloe Soothe & Cocoa Radiant


The name Vaseline Intensive Care is familiar to all, but now it's new as well. Vaseline is releasing a new range of lotions  that help to deeply moisturize with a blend of humectants and "micro droplets" of Vaseline Jelly .

You'll find this new formula in five varieties including Aloe Soothe and Cocoa Radiant .

The Aloe line  in general is a Summer fav of mine . I love their Aloe Fresh Gel and then they added the spray. This new formula is creamy with a light aloe scent and feels moisturizing.. The aloe ingredient is aloe powder, so perhaps not too much of it is in there but it's still a nice, fresh feeling lotion.


Also new is Cocoa Radiant. This has has that lovely cocoa butter scent that can double as light fragrance.  It is is said to be clinically proven to heal dry skin in 5 days but is not an overly heavy or sticky heavy lotion.

Both have , according to Vaseline,  a special blend of glycerin  along with the micro droplets for  hydration.



New Vaseline Intensive Care  comes in Advanced Repair, Advanced Repair Fragrance Free, Essential Healing, Aloe Soothe and Cocoa Radiant.

Retail is $ 4.99 for 10 oz, 7.99 for 20. 3 oz and 8.49 for 32 oz.



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick



Part two of our look at some of the new Perricone MD products brings us No Lipstick Lipstick. ( You can check out No Foundation Foundation serum here).

While I wasn't too sure about the "no foundation " idea,  as soon as I saw the lipstick on Sephora I wanted to try it. I've said many times how I love a tinted lip balm and that's partially what this is.


No Lipstick Lipstick is  lip treatment , color and sun protection in one. It's very moisturizing without being too heavy, and has SPF 15 using Zinc Oxide.

It's meant to react with your natural lip color and enhance it, but I think most will find that's it's a pinky red. Not too much of either, but just right. Somewhat of a fruit punch shade, which is spot on for Summer but works well anytime.


Perricone MD calls it a" revolutionary solid to serum anti aging lip treatment". It does have some shine on lips but is sheer in pigment. Lip care ingredients include neuropeptides, hyaluronic acid spheres and tocotrienols.

The tube is metal and screws off the bottom.

Basically this is an anytime lip. The kind to keep handy for touch ups and great for when you want SPF and a little color at the same time without going too bold.

Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick is $ 30 at Sephora  





Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum


Dr. Perricone has added to his No Foundation line.  I've got two new products to preview . First up is No Foundation Foundation Serum. Look for No Lipstick Lipstick later today( now here )

Now not being one who isn't fond of no makeup, certainly not no foundation , I hadn't explored this product line before. I  know they make wonderful skincare of course .


That changed when I read about new No Foundation Foundation Serum. It sounded really good and I thought might make a great base layer.  This is one of those times I'm glad  I tried something, because it is that good.

What you have here is a lightweight , thin , tinted skin treatment, sun protection and coverage all in one.  That reminds of a BB Cream , and there are similarities but differences as well. No Foundation Serum gives quite good coverage. It's light but still manages to make my skin look better. It is a very thin liquid, but once on your face it dries to a semi matte finish . Despite the warm temps  and my oilier skin it also seems to last long on me. So it's long-wearing as well because if it lasts on me then everyone else is set .


This can be used as a stand alone for a nice brightened , smoothed ,  finished but not overdone look.  I , however, have been dusting powder foundation over it for more coverage, and should you go that route as well, you basically look airbrushed.  It's one winning combo.


No Foundation Serum has physical SPF 30 with Zinc Oxide.  Skin benefiting ingredients include alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C ester and neuropeptides.   All age groups  can use this. The Mom loved it almost as much as I did .

There is one shade- light to medium  and it is a bit dark for  pale skins. It's a little deeper than I use but with blending  and / or the powder it works fine.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum is $ 55 at Sephora  



Sunday, May 25, 2014

Cappelli Straw World Pack A Hat




No matter where you're headed this Summer- traveling far , a day trip somewhere sunny, or a family members pool, a good hat helps keep the heat and rays at bay.  Making it easy is this bag and hat combo from Cappelli Straworld.


A UPF 50 + rated hat with a 4 1/2 " brim folds inside  it's own bag. The bag is 9 1/2" x 7" and has enough room with the hat in it to tuck a small  sunscreen , lipgloss , phone and some money.

There are 7 colors combos available -black, red, toast, navy, green, lime, and turquoise.  Shown is navy.




The Cappelli Straworld Pack A  Hat is  $ 25 at Hartford York  http://www.hartfordyork.com/product/7341/womens-hats-ss and there is currently free shipping.



Thursday, May 22, 2014

Votre Vu Nude Eyeshadow Quad & Sultry Lip Lustre


 Votre Vu has some new shades to complement your Summer look and beyond.

The Palette Play Eye Quad in Nude has four easily wearable neutrals in light and deep shades . They have rich pigments and blend well. This is the type of quad that can be all you need on a long weekend trip .

Also new is the medium golden bronze Sultry Lip Lustre.  It's a sun kissed color  in Votre Vu's moisturizing and antioxidant (vitamin E & green tea) filled formula.


Nude Palette Play Quad is $ 42
Sultry Lip Lustre is $ 22


All available at www.votrevu.com




Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Neutrogena Tweet- A -Thon #ChooseSkinHealth May 22


May 22nd is Neutrogena's 12 hour Tweet-A -Thon to kick off Summer and help you to always Choose Skin Health.

Pop over to Twitter anytime between 9AM EDT – 9PM EDT (6AM PDT – 6PM PDT)  to join in. Each hour will have prize giveaways and  feature a different skin related topic as well as experts sharing tips including    Dr. Debra Jaliman and  Dr. Joshua Zeichner .

Celeb ambassadors including Kerry Washington, Julie Bowen and Hayden Panettierre ,  will also be popping in. 

Participants will also have the opportunity to support Neutrogena's Buy 1 + Donate 1 which will donate one SPF product to a family in need for every Neutrogena product with SPF purchased May-July 2014. 


I'll be joining in when I can. The main host is @Crowdtappers . Remember to use #ChooseSkinHealth . 



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara



Clinique has a new mascara on the counter. Lash Power Feathering Mascara is a long wear formula for defined lashes.

Lash Power Feathering  isn't a dramatic lash mascara but it's not barely there either.  It gives good length and definition but little to no volume. It is buildable and stays soft on lashes. As you'd guess from the name , lashes have a  light fluttery look .  Like many I like a bold lash, but sometimes in Summer when I am super warm, sweaty and oily, a mascara that defines my lashes and therefore eyes is enough. If  I do just BB,  bronzer and lips , this type of lash goes perfectly.


Also it's smudge proof. I smudge most mascaras so anytime I can find one that holds up all day , I'm happy. This stayed put on a very humid day of rain. That was a pleasant surprise . Removal is easy , it rinses off with warm water or light cleansing.

Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara is $ 17.50 and available now.




Ahava Mineral Botanic Tropical Pineapple & White Peach Velvet Body Lotion


Ahava  has a new, ready for Summer scent out in it's wonderful Mineral Botanic body line- Tropical Pineapple & White Peach.  There  are three body products in all, I tried the Velvet Body Lotion. 

It's been too long since I've used Ahava. This  was a  nice re-entry. The lotion is one of the  fastest moisturizing I've used.  It sinks in fast and my skin instantly felt silkier , softer. 


I was expecting a stronger fruit scent but the fragrance here is quite light. While it's not the tropical punch I thought, it is  pretty, scented with mostly bits of the white peach.  Shea butter and  aloe vera  provide the biggest moisture  boost and the brand's signature, Dead Sea Water, is in there as well. It's also paraben free.


Tropical Pineapple and White Peach also comes in a Velvet Cream Body Wash and Rich Body Butter .

The Velvet Body Lotion is $ 26

Find it at www.ahava.com, macys.com and Ulta.



Sunday, May 18, 2014

Clinique Summer 2014 Chubby Sticks Lip Balm



Have you heard ? There are new Chubby Stick shades for Summer, in both Original and Intense . Yes, I still get excited over new lip crayons. For Summer days it doesn't get much easier than to tuck one into your bag for all day easy touch  ups.

grandest guava, roundest raspberry, plumped up pink, supreme sorbet, plushest petal, jumbo jasmine

There are four new colors in Original formula:
·         Plumped Up Pink:  Summer watermelon pink.
·         Supreme Sorbet: The sheerest hint of pink orange sorbet.
·         Plushest Petal: A sunkissed shimmery nude.
·         Jumbo Jasmine: Hints of purple .


And two new in Intense:
          -  Roundest Raspberry: A rich, red berry hue.
          -Grandest Guava: A warm burnt-orange shade.

     If you like barely there lip looks, Supreme Sorbet and Plushest Petal have just a hint of color. The Intense shades are deepest but still not overly bold. 

     All the new colors are LE   and $ 17. 





Friday, May 16, 2014

Fraas Dottie Scarf



Bright is the word for  the  new Dottie scarf from Fraas. Coming in hot, almost neon,  colors plus a neutral it's a great way to punch up a monotone outfit .

I have it in lime which is definitely a bold color but fun too. The lime will go with white and navy especially.

The Dottie is a very lightweight poly that has  a cottony feel ( and that's something I almost never say about polyester.) The full length is 28 x 76 inches so it can be used as a shawl or bathing suit wrap/pareo as well.  On the beach or by the pool, the bright colors will surely help you stand out.


The Dottie comes in yellow, lime, turquoise, pink, and taupe.

Retail is $ 32 . Fraas can be a bit hard to find but styles are available on Amazon, at some dept. stores and at www.fraas.com 




Thursday, May 15, 2014

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer 2014



Eternity Summer  is back for the season. Each year there is a new release ,  a different version. I tend to really like these Summer scents . Last year's was  not a huge favorite but the mimosa rich version of 2011 is one I still use. I find them to be easily wearable and simply pretty , and the 2014 EDP is just that.

Eternity Summer  starts off with  green shoots (  bamboo), light citrus (  mandarin ) and  juicy hints of the  watermelon and pear notes but  it's not a strong melon . The fragrance  stays light and soft , and I can smell the lovely peony note  along with a little gardenia well into the drydown where the barely there musk and woods come in.


Overall Eternity Summer is a sheer floral scent that floats along on your skin. It feels like a perfume that will work well in the heat , giving you just enough fragrance.

Full note list:

  • top:         pear, mandarin, watermelon, bamboo leaves
  • mid:        peony, water lily, gardenia, neroli
  • dry:         soft musk, white woods
Calvin Klein Eternity Summer is $ 64 for 100ml EDP and is available at Macy's.




Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Neutrogena Beach Defense & Ultra Sheer Face & Body Sunscreen Sticks



It's May, do you have your sunscreen yet? Neutrogena's two new SPF Sticks help to make it easier to apply and keep it on hand.

I try to always have a stick like this as part of my SPF arsenal each year. They are perfect for nose, face, tops of hands . They can be stashed in bags without fear of leakage for all day touch ups ,anywhere you need a top up.

Beach Defense is SPF 50 + and is a bit more emollient feeling than Ultra Sheer. It has a suntan lotion scent . Ultra Sheer feels light on , is shine free  and has a fresh scent with SPF 70.


Both have Neutrogena's Helioplex broad spectrum sunscreen  and the SPF is chemical.

Ultra Sheer and Beach Defense Face and Body Sticks are 9.99 sugg. retail.





Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Ricky's New York Nail Color



Ricky's , the legendary NYC beauty emporium has recently launched a line of nail shades - Ricky Color.

With names like  Fifth Floor Walkup , Bodega Run and Off Off Broadway , the shades are inspired by all the things NYC is.

The polish itself has good pigment and two coats gives full coverage. One was pretty good coverage even.  They are 3 Free .

Ricky's NYC Ricky Color comes in a wide array of colors, more than shown here and are $ 6.50 each  or 2 for $ 10.

Shop online at www.rickysnyc.com 



MAC Lorde Pure Heroine Lipstick




The first look at the MAC  x Lorde lipstick is here .


Pure Heroine is  a deep purple, in an amplified creme formula. This isn't going to be a shade for everyone, but if you can wear it, it will be very striking. It certainly works for Lorde.

The lipstick has mostly full coverage and as you can guess , loads of pigment. There were some issues with patchy areas not totally covered. I think it's a really pretty purple even if it won't work on me. That said it looked better on and more weareable than I expected.



MAC Lorde ( $16) will be available  online June 5 and at MAC Times Square & Fifth Ave. NYC stores.