Beauty 360 @CVS Facial Cleansing Brushes & Sponges

Sonic cleansers are very much the "in" thing and get a lot of press and raves. I like them and use them but I haven't had the miraculous results that many others said they have . For me I seem to often get almost as good or as good results with a good scrub/exfoliator and the right cleanser.

If you want a really good cleansing experience without the investment in a sonic cleanser, Beauty 360 @CVS has a huge selection of new sponges, scrubbers and brushes to help get you there all under $5. 

The Natural Facial Cleansing Sea Sponges are probably my favorite as they scrub and exfoliate really well but are not too rough. They also pick up cleanser really well. These come two to a pack need to be wet before use and dry pretty quickly after use. For those who can't do the really rough exfoliating anymore  , these are great.

The Deep Pore Cleansing Facial Brush   is really nice as well. It's extremely soft , so soft that you wonder if it will really work, but that also means it isn't harsh on your face. It feels a bit like a luxury treat for your face as you swish it around. It does a light exfoliate and  feels soft on skin. 

Also part of the line are Gentle Facial Scrubbers or scrublets as I call them.  You may have seen these before when they came with L'Oreal Go cleansers. I still have one of the ones I had in my cleanser as I always really liked it and felt that it did a good job of getting pores clean. Now you can buy these two to a pack . Being made of silicone they are easily cleaned , last long and possibly do some of the best cleansing of the line.

There is also a Konjac sponge assortment. I have the Pure which is called deeply exfoliating and I felt it cleansed pretty well but not as much makeup was removed as I'd like. (And I do not remove my make up before cleansing, so your results may vary). Besides that it worked well with a not too harsh but not soft scrubbing feel.

Facial Cleansing Sponges come two to a pack and felt like a  facial buffer.  I wanted to like them as they smelled like a pina colada with natural coconut fiber and vitamin E but were extremely rough on on my skin.  If you want a deep exfoliate  these will do that. 

Beauty 360 scrub brushes, sponges and cleansers are available at CVS and are priced $ 3.99 - $ 4.99 each . 

LIT NYC Holiday Lights Lighted Nail Polish/Lipgloss Duo

 

Looking for a great last minute gift?  NYC Lit has something we've long needed- a nail polish with a built in LED light in the cap. There's also a coordinating lipgloss.

It's such a great idea and sure to be a hit with giftees.  This literally hit my desk today so I haven't had time to test the polish  and see what it's like but I love the light. It's very bright and right in the cap with a button on the bottle top .

The sets retail for $ 15 at CVS and singles are also available for $ 7.50 each.

Color shown is Winter Wonderland.

MUA Makeup Academy Lip Color- Liquid, Stain & Balm

Have you heard there's a new brand at CVS? They are now exclusively stocking the UK brand MUA Makeup Academy. Currently it's just brushes, eyelashes and lip colors.

MUA has a good selection of lip products  and looking at the three I've tried, they cover all the bases with coverage.

Liquid Lipstick, Lip Stain, Color Infused Balm

Color Infused Balm is my favorite with it's color core and clear balm around it. It's just cool to look at , but it's also nicely moisturizing on. It's very sheer with some shine , and light on lips. ($8) Shown in Nude.

Lip Stain is  waterlight liquid that dries down to a stain that has a little hint of shine.  It's not sheer but light/medium and wears well. ( $8) Shown in Rich Pink

Liquid Lipstick is the pigment powerhouse. This has deep, full pigment that reminds me of several high end products. It sets to an almost matte finish and has a mint scent/taste with a fairly dry feel on lips. I would like to see it have a doe foot instead of a brush wand for better application but that's my preference. ($9) Shown in Coral


MUA also has lipstick, lip crayons, lip gloss and more all at CVS.

CVS Nail HQ

Going beauty shopping at CVS just got more fun.  The store  now has in over 2,000 of their locations, a Nail HQ kiosk. Via Nail HQ you can see and get the latest trends in nail wear including new salon gel manicures from Sally Hansen and from Salma Hayek's Nuance line, 32 shades of nail color.

You'll also be able  to view polish shades outside of the bottles through nail color strip displays and essie will debut  each season's new line at Nail HQ. 

Salam Hayek Nuance Beauty On Sale now at CVS

Salma Hayek's Nuance beauty line exclusively for CVS is online now. You know normally when you hear a celeb is doing a line of any kind, you really wonder, will it be even remotely worth while? I have to say, without seeing these in person, I am thinking  this line is really worth a look. Especially that wicked looking lip quad. I mean it's futuristic spaceship looking and I need it .  At 9.99 it's priced nice for 4 shades and one cool compact.

Hit up www.cvs.com/nuancesalmahayek to see all of the line including the lip quads.


Have any of you see this in stores yet?  If so, please share .

CVS New Extra Care Beauty Club

We all have our Extra Care cards from CVS, right ?  Now there is a new , additional program- The CVS Extra Care Beauty Club.  If you watched Sunday's People's Choice Awards, you may have heard  more as it was announced on the show  by Queen Latifah.

CVS Beauty Club Membership includes:

- 10% off beauty shopping pass upon enrollment

- $5 in ExtraBucks® rewards with every $50 beauty purchase

- $3 in ExtraBucks® rewards on the member’s birthday as well as special beauty offers throughout the year

Members will also receive monthly email newsletters with exclusive coupons, tips from experts and new product information.

All you need to do to enroll is go to www.cvs.com/beautyclub and  fill out the form including your CVS Extra Care card number or go in store and present your card and the printed enrollment certificate from the site.  

A Facebook page has been set up as well at :www.facebook.com/cvsbeautyclub.
Find them on Twitter at : @CVSBeautyClub

Sales at CVS and Beauty 360

It's time for the CVS semi annual beauty sale, and Beauty360 is also running some specials that may appeal to you.

Beginning today through August 23rd, you can save 20% on your favorite prestige makeup products purchased from Beauty360.com by entering the special code SIZZLE at checkout. Follow the  link for additional details and to start shopping: http://tinyurl.com/29n9rum

At CVS  the following specials are running :

Week of August 15th

-Neutrogena Complete Line– Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off

-L’Oreal Cosmetics – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off

Month of September

-Maybelline Lip and Eye – Spend $10 Get $3 Extra Care Bucks

-Nivea and Eucerin – Spend $15 Get $5 Extra Care Bucks

-Acne Free and Wrinkle Free – Spend $20 Get $10 Extra Care Bucks

In addition if you make a  beauty purchase of $15 or more, you  will receive a coupon for one of four cute charms (one per week) 2 of which are shown.

Online Beauty Sales ( these are online http://www.cvs.com/ only):

- 25% off all beauty August 30th – September 5th

- 20% off all beauty September 6th – September 26th

CVS Essence of Beauty- Juniper and Citrus

At September 2009's fashion week many of us editors were asked to test and vote on several new scent choices for a new Essence of Beauty fragrance addition. Now in April 2010 we get to hear what got the most votes and see it released at the end of the month.

At the time the winning scent was called Lemon Tea and what was I picked. Now it's Juniper and Citrus. It's quite refeshing and pretty no matter the name, but I think Lemon Tea is more apt.

The fragrance is one of fresh iced tea, brewed not too strong with a good dose of lemon. It doesn't quite smell like black tea, but isn't green tea either. Closer to green though. The juniper is minimal, just enough to give the citrus a base.

I have to say again how impressed I am with Essence of Beauty's line. Before that fashion week, I hadn't tried it at all and it's been a nice surprise. Juniper and Citrus is one that will go into the large summer citrus fragrance rotation.

The full line is in CVS stores now including body lotion, hand soap, EDT and more.

CVS/pharmacy Beauty Days

CVS is running their Beauty Days event through the end of May. Each week brings special deals both in stores and online.

There are some great buys here , including a Value Robe for $ 5.99. I can also highly recommend the Essence of Beauty line. It was a surprise, impressive find at fashion week last fall and their hand lotion was one of the ones that kept my hands in great shape this past winter.

Here's a full list:

Week of April 18
-L’Oreal Excellence Hair Color: $5.49
-Crest Premium Toothpaste 6.2oz: $1.88 – lowest price of the year.
-VO5 Shampoo/Conditioner: $0.66
-Sally Hansen Complete Line: Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Week of April 25
-Revlon Complete Line: Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off
-Pantene 12.6oz Shampoo/Conditioner: 2 for $5.00
-Designer Fragrances ($14.99 and over): Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
-Value Robe: $5.99
-Essence of Beauty Complete Line: Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Month of May
Hot looks and even hotter prices continue with exclusive “scan and save” CVS ExtraCare card offers. In-store, you can simply scan their ExtraCare card at coupon centers and get a new beauty savings coupon each week throughout the month.

Online Spring Beauty Days: CVS/pharmacy is extending its great deals online with exclusive discounts for http://www.cvs.com/ members. Join the mailing list to receive:

25% off all Beauty and Skincare (April 12 – April 13)
20% off all Beauty and Skincare (April 13 – May 9)

Lumene Excellent Future Line

The hot ingredient right now is the Uttwiler Spatluber apple. Vogue featured it in the Nov. 09 issue . The article says this almost extinct apple's stem cells seemed able to protect human stem cells in tests, even defending them from UV radiation.

You might wonder how one would come to study this ancient apple, and they tell us that too-their longevity. Even after picking they lasted much longer than other ones and the trees bark was self healing.

Lumene's Excellent Future line contain Applexcell™, which they describe as a "combination of a modern apple stem cell extract and ancient Arctic white peat", "that works help skin repair itself"

You can read the test results at the website if you wish. They do provide details.

The Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream is highly emollient. Far more than I needed, but the driest of skins will drink it up.

The Excellent Future Deep Repairing Serum is lightly moisturizing and sinks in fast .It made my skin smoother and softer after only a couple uses. It makes a nice makeup base as well.

Both retail for $ 29.99 and are all all CVS stores and CVS online.

http://www.lumene.com/ for more info.

* press sample

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty/Carmindy Lip Balm Set

Bargain alert. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy has this fun gift set called The Super Balm that has 3 tinted lip balms for $ 12.99.

How cute is this? I love that it's not only inexpensive but readily available at CVS. You can pick up your aspirin and your gifts all in one go if you're incredibly short on shopping time. Perfect for tweens and teens, and the friends and family who do the little to no makeup thing .

The shades are fresh pink, nude shimmer and berry shine. The two lighter shades are very pale and the berry leaves a deeper tint. The formula is Moisture Plump and has avocado and shea butter.