Reader Question:

What is your favorite drug store brand shampoo/conditioner?

My favorite drugstore brand for shampoo and conditioner is Pantene Pro-V. I especially like the Moisture Renewal products. I love how it seals my hair for shine and softness. No matter how much I’ve abused my hair when I’ve used this, the dryness and split ends seem non-existent! For around $8 for each, this is one of the best deals. Lately I’ve been able to find the huge bottles at Costco, so you get an even better deal!

Laura Mercier 'French Vanilla' Bath and Body Collection

Featuring pure Tahitian and Bourbon vanillas, French Vanilla Bath and Body is an absolute treat. Velvety caramel and luscious Kadota fig blend perfectly with creamy sandalwood and smooth amber for an enchanting and alluring experience. French Vanilla Honey Bath transforms your bath into a decadent honey moisture experience, while Crème Body Wash gently cleanses leaving your skin smooth and moisturized. The finishing touch includes French Vanilla Soufflé Body Crème, an ultra rich whipped soufflé crème. Use night or day for luxurious moisture that leaves you soft and supple, ready to be touched

Lippmann Collection Rehydrating Base Coat

Most of us love to wear polish, but end up with chipped, peeling polish within a few days! Since I’ve started using Lipmann Rehydrating Base Coat, my manicures have been lasting the full week until my next visit to the salon. With the addition of aloe vera, nails are rehydrated with moisture to prevent dryness, cracking or peeling nails. Say bye-bye to the chipped, peeling nails and say hello to beautiful healthy nails.

Get in on the deal with Philosophy

Dazzle, Shimmer and Define With Kevyn Aucoin

Eye Definer in Dazzle

Kevyn Aucoin-The Precision Eye Definer

Looking at these online does not give you a true idea of the color payoff on these gel liners! They look very pale and mediocre, and these are certainly not mediocre. The long wearing gel liners come in four shades, Dazzle, Shimmer, Sparkle and Twinkle. Dazzle is a vibrant deep shimmering blue. Shimmer is a dark shimmering hunter green. Sparkle is a smoldering smoky grey with shimmer. And finally my favorite, Twinkle, a deep intense shimmering chocolate. Included with every liner is a small eye definer brush so no need to buy a separate one unless you prefer a longer handle. Used to create a soft smoky look or for dramatic definition, versatility is not lacking in these fabulous liners!

Yu-Be Skin Cream

I picked up this coveted cream while in Tokyo a few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since. One of the most trusted skincare lines in Japan, Yu-Be has been used by Japanese families for over 50 years. Yu-Be's Moisturizing Skin Cream is the top selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Its gentle, glycerin-based formula is rich in vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor to soothe even the driest, most irritated skins. The secret to this magnificent cream is its high glycerin content and quick absorbability, making this a cult favorite for all of your skincare needs. Now that its available in the United States, get ready to say “sayonara” to dry skin and hello to Yu-Be.

Makeup Artists Dream!

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection

Everything we do at MAC is built around the idea that anything is possible when self-expression is honored, exalted, allowed to rise to its ultimate aria. This season MAC celebrates the idea of the Artist in every shade and stripe…makeup as art form. We’ve selected three individuals who exemplify this idea through both the subjects they choose, and the wildly individual styles and colours used to convey them. Bold heroic, big; giggly, playful, clever; dramatic, original, abstract: Fall ‘09 as seen by Richard Phillips, Maira Kalman, and Marilyn Minter. Be inspired!-MAC

Lipstick:

Full Body
Hold the Pose
Front Lit
Lovin’
High Strung

Lipglass:
On Display
New Spirit
Personal Taste
Young Thing

Eyeshadow Quad:
Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad
In the Gallery Eyeshadow Quad
Notoriety Eyeshadow Quad

Powder Blush:
The Perfect Cheek
Notable

Eye Shadows:
Crest the Wave
Off the Page
Haunting
Violet Trance
Purple Shower
Maira’s Magic

Technakohl Liners:
Full of Fuschia
Artistic License
Obviously Orange
Colour Matters
Graphblack

Pigments:
Brash & Bold
Push the Edge
Cocomotion
Heritage Rouge
Fuschia
Gold Sparkling
Reflects Rust
Reflects Copper

Available August 20th, 2009

A first for Bond No.9

Harrods for Him & Her
Bond no.9 and Harrods jointly announce the release of Harrods for Her & Him. Both for Him and Her captures the futuristic spirit of Harrods while accenting the eclectic spirit of downtown Bond No.9. The 3.4oz will be available for $230 and 1.7oz for $155. The first American-British fragrance in the line debuts in four Manhattan locations and at Harrods beginning July 2009.

Harrods for Him:
Bond No. 9 Harrods for Him is an elegant male gourmand with accents of lavender, violet leaf, sandalwood, and musk mingled with rhubarb, star anise, chamomile, and pimento leaves. The slender bottle displays a gold-on Harrods-green pattern of the instantly recognized Harrods “H” with the Bond No.9 logo superimposed in gold with green lettering.

Harrods for Her:
The key ingredient, and its only floral note, tuberose is paired with leather making it a chic “tuberose noir”. Surrounding this unique combination are neroli, mandarin, chamomile, clary sage, and nutmeg, followed by warm amber, sandalwood, and vetiver. The Bond No.9 superstar bottle shows gold-on gold pattern of the instantly recognized Harrods “H” with the Bond No.9 logo superimposed in Harrods green with gold lettering.

Simplicity has never been so gorgeous

Trish McEvoy Simplicity Collection for Fall 2009

“My palm-sized Portable Beauty™ Simplicity Collection features an ultra-versatile face palette and mistake-proof brushes to meet all your touch-up needs on-the-go.”-Trish Mcevoy

Little Black Card: Simplicity Palette
· Weekend All Over Face Color
· Natural Blush
· Rose Quartz Glaze Eye Shadow
· Iris Eye Shadow
· Navy Cream Definer
· Brightening Line Minimizer Concealer
· Pink Rose Lip Color
· Jolie Lip Color
· Simply Glamorous Lip Gloss

Lash Curling Mascara
Portable Beauty Brush Set

Available August 2009 or now at http://www.trishmcevoy.com/

ESTEE LAUDER IS ALL ABOUT GOLD!

Estee Lauder Senseous Gold Collection Fall 2009

This is one collection I’ve fallen in love with! Luminous shades of rose gold, bronze shimmers and amethyst light up for romantic looks that match the falling leaves of the fall season. Available July 2009

Face:
Gilded Rose Marbelized Shimmer Powder

Eye Shadow:
· Rose Gold Quad
· Rose Amethyst Quad

Eyeliner:
· Bronze Double Wear Liner

Lipgloss:
· Multi-Shimmer Rose Gold
· Multi-Shimmer Rose Amethyst

Lipstick:
· Terracotta
· Cinnamon
· Rose Amethyst
· Plum Amethyst

Nails:
· Rose Gold
· Black Amethyst

Fall 2009 with YSL

Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2009 Collection

Spice up your look and enhance your style with bold harmonies and revisit the beauty classics and sensorial pleasures…with Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2009 Collection. A diaphanous complexion, graphic eyes alight with glimmer and femme fatale lips perfected in a purple shade. This collection takes you from daytime classic to evening allure with ease. Available August 2009.

Collector Powder for the Complexion:
Palette Y

Cream Blush:
N°1 – Velvety Peach
N°2 – Powdery Rose
N°3 – Silky Praline

Sheer Sensual Gloss Stick SPF 9:
N°1 – Iced Lychee
N°2 – Chilled Raspberry
N°3 – Frozen Cherry
N°4 – Frosted Plum

Silky – Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15:
N°19 – Frivolous Pink
N°20 – Spicy Pink
N°21 – Vibrant Brown
N°22 – Exquisite Plum

Long-Lasting Nail Lacquer:
N°39 – Stormy Grey
N°40 – Extreme Purple

Eye Shadow Duo:
N°21 – Anise Green / Intense Plum
N°23 – Pearly Peach / Mink Brown

5 Colour Harmony for Eyes:
N°7 – Bronze Gold
N°8 – Midnight

Luxurious Mascara for a False Lash Effect:
N°8 – Sublime Grey

Noodle and Boo makes soft hands so luxurious!

NOODLE AND BOO WHOLESOME HAND LOTION

I stumbled upon the Noodle and Boo line by accident. And what a wonderful accident it was! I was looking for something for daily use and with my sensitive skin, that can be a chore! Noodle and Boo was created especially for sensitive skin; the gentle formula soothes and moisturizes with Vitamins A, C and E and is formulated without Phthalate, Sulfate or Parabens. Dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, each and every product is not only safe for us but for our little bundles of joy as well. The line consists of everything from shampoo to face and body wipes. I especially love, love, love the Wholesome Hand Lotion. It is gentle, soothing and leaves hands extra soft and replenished between hand washings. And I didn’t even mention the soft comforting scent!

Shue Ueumura Fall 2009

Shu Uemura Primitribe Collection for Fall 2009

Rich earth and autumn foliage tones is what Shu Uemura is all about this fall season! New color sticks and duo blushes add a primal mix to the fall color collection with tones of maroon, gold, earth and a splash of blue for a pop of color. A new set of color splashed lashes finish off and complete the collection. Available August 2009.

Painting Liner :
Citrine
Spinel
Turquoise

Pressed Eyeshadows:
M Beige 800
M Beige 802
M Beige 804

Primal Color Stick:
Blazed Gold
Misty Grove
Night Maroon
Rich Earth

Primal Mix Eyelashes

Primal Mix Blush:
Echo
Rhythm
Soul

Rouge Unlimited:
PK 300
BG 942
WN 296

We wish for "A Perfect World"

Origins “A Perfect World” Collection

It’s still very hot and we are in the midst of summer so it’s hard to look ahead and think about what we will incorporate into our beauty routines for the upcoming winter months! But I’m a girl who plans ahead, plus it gives me reason to start buying those things I love! Origins has a collection I use not only during the winter months but all year round whenever I want to pamper myself. “A Perfect World” consists of a body wash, hydrating lotion and hydrating body cream. All are superbly lush and nourishing; loaded with hydrating butters and white tea to keep you flake-free and looking young all year round. When it’s hot and I don’t need the deep nourishment of a body cream, I use the body wash and lotion. But when the winter months are upon us and I need that extra bit of hydration, out comes the body cream! Both the lotion and body cream are highly hydrating; absorb quickly and oh the soft heavenly scent! And don’t forget about Origins commitment to using ingredients that are natural and friendly to not only our bodies, but the earth!

"Reign" in the Fall with Smashbox

SMASHBOX REIGN FALL 2009

This provocative collection is inspired by the English Tudor with shades of falls golden shimmer and deep cabernet. Lust-worthy shadows, metallic liners, and luxurious lip colors fit for a royal are yours for decadent indulgence. Available July 2009.

· REIGN EYE SHADOW PALETTE-MAJESTY, MONARCH
· REIGN JET SET PALETTE
· REIGN DOUBLETAKE LIP COLOR-AMARETTO, CURRANT
· REIGN LASH DNA MASCARA-PLUM
· REIGN LIP GLOSS-CROWNED
· REIGN FUSION BLUSH-REGAL

Declaring Indigo with Lancome

Lancôme 'Declaring Indigo' Brush Set Nordstom Anniversary Exclusive

The five piece set features full size brushes created just for the sale; not only are these functional, these are stunning! You get five brushes; Mineral Powder Brush, Foundation Brush #2, Blender Brush #4, Dual Ended Shadow Brush #18 and an indigo patent brush and makeup bag. All for $52 this is an exceptional value. Tomorrow July 17th is the day!

Petite Flowerbomb for Nordstom Anniversary

Viktor and Rolf “Petite Flowerbomb” Nordstrom Anniversary Exclusive

With Flowerbomb being such a fabulous yet pricey scent, I think this is going to be a hit for the sale! At $45 for .68oz these are going to fly out the door! It is nearly full size for a half the price of the 1oz, which is $90. So these won’t last long! It’s tomorrow ladies, so hurry and get your goodies!

On the Go with Cashmere Mist

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist “On the Go” Beauty Exclusive for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I have this on my pre-order! For Cashmere Mist lovers, this has to be the best thing! The set has a mini signature bottle with three refills that are .25oz each. And for $45 for the set, how can you beat that! Its begins July 17th, so its almost here!

Dior Beauty Exclusive for Nordstrom

Dior Beauty Exclusive for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Dior’s Exclusive includes Jazz Club Eye Palette and two new Vernis Nail Enamels. The stunning palette has nine new shades of shadow and brushes while the enamel shades are dark and sultry in Lemon Balm and Mystic Violine. Hurry guys it starts tomorrow July 17th!

Love That Look

MAC Love That Look Collection for Fall 2009

Begin the fall color season with sixteen new color items from MAC’s Love That Look Collection. Four Pearlglide Liners and fourteen shadows help you to add a play of color to your fall and winter routine. Available August 2009.

Shadows:
Grand Entrance -peachy beige
Dreammaker- frosty golden yellow
Smoke & Diamonds - dark grey
Glamour Check- brick brown
Strike A Pose- deep blue
Ego -light yellowish pink
Fashion Groupie -blue violet
Unbasic White -shimmery white
One-Off -medium green with silver pearl
Rated R -yellow green
Style Snob - pink brown with gold pearl
Fashion-grey green with golden pearl

Pearlglide Liners:
Fly by Blu
Black Russian
Molasses

Rav

Kiehl's Nordstrom Anniversary Exclusive

KIEHL'S NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY EXCLUSIVE

With Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale quickly approaching, now is the time to reserve those exclusives before they sell out! The store is always a madhouse and the exclusive items sell out fast so why not reserve it ahead of time! One item I always get is Keihl's Amino Acid Shampoo in the huge 33.8oz size. For $48 this is such a good deal, considering that the 16oz size is $28. And you’d have to spend $56 on two to get the same amount. The sale starts July 17th so it’s just around the corner!

I always wanted to be Ivy League!

Bobbi Brown Ivy League Collection for Fall 2009

As with the fashion of all Bobbi Brown collections, this one is a stunner! Create the natural beauty Bobbi Brown is famous for or add a touch of smoke to the eyes for your evening out. The collection includes several new items for all to enjoy. The Forest Shimmer Ink is sure to stun all brown-eyed girls while the new Golden Leaf Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow will be a hit! Available for all to enjoy beginning August 2009.

Creamy Eye Pencil:
Jet
Walnut
Charcoal
Caviar
Hunter
Midnight
Brown Plum
Mahogany
Dusk

Lip Crayon:
Honeysuckle
Coral Pink
Raisin Berry
Posey
Dusty Nude
Wild Rose

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner:
Forest Shimmer Ink

Eyeshadow:
Golden Leaf Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow
Bash Metallic Eye Shadow

Givenchy Les Poetiques

Givenchy Les Poetiques Collection for Fall 2009

While color and intensity is on the mind of most for this fall, Givenchy brings romance and poetry! Light and luminosity light up the complexion, eyes glow with romance and lips are incredibly soft and poetic. Givenchy takes you from summer to fall and winter with style and grace. Available August 2009.

Gloss Poetique - Poetique Rose

Prismissime Eyes -Poetique Browns, Poetique Blues
Base de Teint -Poetique Tulip
Poudre Libre - Poetique Orchid
Phenomen’Eyes - Poetique Grey Lavender
Parad’Eyes Liner - Poetique Lavender
Rouge Interdit Shine -Poetique Iris, Poetique Camelia
Le Vernis -Poetique Lily
Photo’perfexion - Perfect Vanilla
Mister Light -Mister Milk
Mister Bright - Dawn Light
Lip Liner - Lip Litchi and Lip Pink
Eyebrow Show -Brunette Show

Dolce and Gabbana for Nordstom Anniversary Sale

Dolce and Gabbana Debut for Nordstrom Anniversary

With Nordstroms Anniversary Sale just around the corner and so many new things coming out, I thought I’d post on a debut item. Dolce and Gabanna is launching the new “D&G” fragrance collection. Feminine and sweet, masculine and clean, there will be one for everyone. Exclusively available at Nordstrom Anniversary sale July 17, 2009.

· '1 Le Bateleur' Eau de Toilette-cedarwood and vetiver base tope notes, aquatic heart notes with an earthly base. One for men or women.
· '3 l'Impératrice' Eau de Toilette-exotic fruits and bright pink florals give way to a musk, concoction of watermelon and kiwi is offset by pink cyclamen for an exhilarating fragrance sensation. Brilliant,bright and addictive
· '6 L'Amoureux' Eau de Toilette-An array of spices in the top and middle notes dries down into a wood and musk base. A bergamot, juniper and pink pepper rooted cardamom, birch leaf and orris heart leading into a blend of wood and musk. An epitomy of romance.
· '10 La Roue de la Fortune' Eau de Toilette- tuberose, gardenia and jasmine heart atop heart of lush blossoms blends into a base of benzoin and patchouli. Feminine as it is opulent.
· '18 La Lune' Eau de Toilette-white florals base of the softest pale leather,hypnotic lily and tuberose heart on a base of sandalwood, musk, orris and white leather. Certainly a femine touch for the gals.

Newest Little Black Card

TRISH MCEVOY Pink Innocent Beauty Emergency Card

I am a fanatic for all things of convenience! This delicate little palette may be tiny, about the size of a credit card but it sure packs a punch! I have several of Trish Mcevoys “little black cards” and let me tell you, they are the best for those times when you are carrying a clutch or evening bag. You may be limited in space but that doesn’t mean you don’t need your beauty items. These all-in-one palettes are packed full of everything you will need for your touchups during your day or for your nights out; they are even better to throw into your weekend get-a-way bag. The new “Pink Innocent” Beauty Emergency Card includes shadows, eye definers, lip colors and a concealer.

Colors include:

• Delicate Pink Eye Shadow

• Rose Quartz Glaze Eye Shadow

• Blackberry Granite Eye Definer

• Deep Aubergine Eye Definer

• Brightening Line Minimizing Concealer in Natural

• Barely Innocent Sheer Lip Color

• Pink Innocent Sheer Lip Color

• Jolie Cream Lip Color

MAC Colour Craft Review

Warm Blend SkinFinish
Triple Fushion SkinFinish

Assemblage Mineralized Shadow



MAC Colour Collection Product Review

I thought I’d post some actual photos of my recent haul to pick up my items from the Colour Craft Collection. I love, love, love the Mineralized Skinfinish so I was excited to see so many come out in one collection. They are gorgeous let me tell you, so it was hard to pick a few, I wanted them all! The whole collection is great actually.

I didn’t end up getting any of the marbleized glosses, they were pretty but once I put them on, they looked similar to others I already had. I fell in love with the mineralized blushes, and of course the skinfinish. My favorite SkinFinish’s were Warm Blend and Triple Fusion. Warm Blend gives a golden bronzy glow and the Triple Fusion gives a rosy natural sheen. Both are great for any skin tone. The two Mineralized Blushes I like most are Cheek and Cheerful and Daft Pink. Cheek and Cheerful gives a sheer natural peachy sheen while Daft Pink gives a pop of fresh pink which brightens the complexion.

The texture is smooth and silky, with sheer buildable color. Also, the shadows are exceptional, again the texture is smooth and silky, and the colors are superb. I love the Assemblage shadow; it’s a great smoky eye collection, with the gold giving light to the over all eye. Over all, I thought the collection was excellent.

Bath time!

Philosophy Nordstrom Exclusive's

With Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale fast approaching, now is the time to take a peek at what some of the lines have to offer. Most of the Anniversary items are exclusive to Nordstrom and will be available while supplies last only. Along with their traditional items of the 32oz Purity Cleanser and 32oz Amazing Grace items, this year Philosophy introduce four new 3-in-1’s. These are perfect for summer, with soft and refreshing scents to lift your spirits. Since these are exclusive to Nordstrom and are available in limited quantities, reserve yours now. You don’t want to miss out on these! Anniversary sale begins July 17th.

*'celebrate life' lime blossom high-foaming shower & bath gel
* 'celebrate love' blackberry musk high-foaming shower & bath gel
*'celebrate dreams' lemongrass high-foaming shower & bath gel
* 'celebrate you' orange cassis high-foaming shower & bath gel

Success in New York

SUCCESS IS A JOB IN NEW YORK

Bond no.9 launches a new Andy Warhol scent; Success is a Job in New York. A new fragrance inspired by cash and named for an article Warhol illustrated for Glamour Magainzin in the 1950s. Success is a Job in New York is the fourth fragrance in the Andy Warhol series, the collection includes Andy Warhol Silver Factory, Andy Warhol Union Square, and Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue, with Success is a Job in New York to join in October. I’m excited for this; it’s a warm and spicy gourmand, which is just up my alley! Spicy citrus top notes of coriander, cardamom, mandarin, bergamot and heart notes of jasmine, tuberose, rose, plum leading into an oriental base of vanilla, patchouli and amber. Sounds completely intoxicating and just what I need for the fall and winter months! The bottle features an Andy Warhol dollar sign from a 1981 design, with one side of the bottle in blue and the other in orange. The much awaited scent will be available in 1.7oz ($145) and 3.4oz ($220) sizes beginning in October 2009.

Laura Mercier with an Italian Flair

Laura Mercier Fresco Collection

I love the wearability of the items in this collection! Normally I like designing my own palettes so that I can put in the shades I like, but the lip palettes in this collection are to die for! All are completely wearable and will compliment any skin tone. Inspired by the colors of an Italian painting, the Fresco Collection introduces eyes that are soft with earth tones from new shades of Satinee Crème Eye Color in Amber and Teal for a pop color. Cheeks are enhanced with tints of Apricot and a Sienna Sunset. Two lip palettes compliment eyes and cheeks with nature inspired hues for a beautiful ethereal fall look. Available now at Lauramercier.com.

Satinee Creme Eye Color–Amber, Teal Cashmere

Creme Cheek Color Pot -Sienna Sunset, Soft Apricot
Fair Lip Watercolours- lip priming balm and six shades to compliment fair skintones
Medium Lip Watercolours-lip priming balm and six shades to compliment medium skintones

Dior Fall 2009

Dior Jazzclub Collection for Fall 2009 Preview

Dior masters drama and mystery with intense eyes and daring lips. Fingertips elude intrigue and sophistication with shades of red and Bordeaux. Dior’s Jazzclub Collection imagines the allure of a dark smoky jazz club with intrigue of what is to come! Jazzclub will be available for all to enjoy beginning August 2009.

Includes:

Star Product- Smoky Jazz (001) or Purple Jazz (002)
5 Couleur (Quint)- Night Butterfly (173)
2 Couleurs -Cocktail Look (055)
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect -Prune Taffetas (787), Bordeaux Drape (957)
Dior Addict Lipcolor -Rose Deshabille (673), Prune Mondain (943), Prune Decadent (993)
Rouge Dior Creme de Gloss-Macaron Praline (431), Nectar de Rose (461)
Dior Liner- Prune (888)
Vernis- Dahlia Rouge, (671), Black Plum (981)
Dior Contour-Prune Troublant (943)