Beautiful Makeup Search

Benefit Cosmetics Hervana Face Powder.

2012-02-17T11:09:01Z

Benefit knows a thing or two about face powders. They just seem to get the formula and colors right. Plus, they always smell so nice.

I have been a long time fan of their box of powders including Dandelion, Hoola, Coralista and Dallas. Now I am using Hervana to bring the perfect wash of spring-time glow to my skin.

Hervana blends four shades - Lucky Shell, Divine Peach, Heavenly Rose and Berry Delight - which all swirl together for the perfect orchid-blossom blush that boasts a very warm, soft satin look to the skin. Using the nifty little brush, apply it over the apples of you cheeks for this flushed look, or gently dust it all over for a warmed up look.

Hervana Face Powder retails for $28.00 and be found at Benefit counters and boutiques, online at benefitcosmetics.com or at Sephora.

China Glaze Capitol Colours Inspired by The Hunger Games.

2012-02-16T11:03:36Z

The China Glaze Capitol Colours Collection will soon be here. To coincide with the opening of The Hunger Games movie, based on the best-selling book series, this nail colour collection will have us in the thrill of it all.

In all, the collection contains 12 pieces of gorgeous nail shades that run the gamut from sheer, sparkly, to full coverage and creamy.

Dress Me Up
Foie Gras
Fast Track
Hook and Line
Stone Cold
Smoke and Ashes
Agro
Mahogany Magic
Harvest Moon
Riveting
Electrify
Luxe and Lush

Capital Colours: Dress Me Up, Electrify, Foi Gras, Hook and Line, Riveting, Stone Cold

Each shade will retail for $7 each and will be available in early March at salons and beauty supply stores nationwide including Sally Beauty and ULTA stores.

M·A·C Vera.

2012-02-15T11:03:00Z

This is such a fun, bright new collection from MAC that comes just in time for spring. A playful collection from artist Vera, the products are beautiful.

Can I please take a moment and just say how happy I am to be playing with spring products? I know we have had a very mild winter here in New England, but it is dragging and I am dreaming of the longer and warmer days.

Brilliant butterflies, flashy florals and gorgeously geometric graphics…A colourful collaboration between M·A·C and the artist known worldwide as Vera, who merged fine arts with linens, murals, textiles and silk scarves in her punchy, painted patterns. Now in shades plucked straight from her most lavish prints, M·A·C Vera embraces the luxe, lighter-than-air spirit that delivers the kind of startling, look-at-me statement that defines what it means to be an instant classic.

The Vera line up:

CRUSHED METALLIC PIGMENT X4 - $34.00
ALOHA

Lantern Light - Metallic gold/bronze
Campfire - Rich copper (frost)
Shifting Sands - Metallic Champagne (frost)
Aloha - Dirt cocoa brown (frost)

STRAWBERRY PATCH

Star Crystal - Pink Champagne (frost)
Rose Light - Metallic Yellow Pink (frost)
Strawberry Patch - Light blue pink (frost)
Moon Rose - Bright Dark Pink (frost)

BUTTERFLY PARTY

Butterfly Party - Bright Lilac (frost)
Desert Cloud - Deep blue purple (frost)
Rain Drop - Metallic teal (frost)
Moss Garden - Metallic silver green (frost)

MAC Pigments: Aloha, Strawberry Patch

PEARLGLIDE INTENSE EYE LINER - $15.00

Lord It Up - Bronze with pearl
Industrial - Periwinkle grey
Designer Purple - Iridescent violet
Undercurrent - Teal with pearl
Petrol Blue - Deep navy with pearl
Black Swan - Black with pearl
Black Line - Black with gold pearl

MAC Pearlglide Eyeliner: Black Line,Designer Purple, Industrial, Lord It Up

Spring 2012: L'Oreal Paris Cosmetics.

2012-02-14T11:07:49Z

L'Oreal Paris has launched a whole slew of new products for spring this year. Just in the cosmetics department there are new shadows, liners, blush, balms and glosses. Not to mention some new skin care, a new nail color range, more from Visible Lift and some new Magic Lumi products. We will talk about those soon, but let's get to what I am most excited about - the new makeup.

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Balm - $7.95
This new balm lipstick hybrid is just what the mass market needs right now. L'Oreal Paris hit it out of the ballpark with this one, as the colors are not only soft and beautiful, but the balm is so rich and hydrating - with an SPF of 15 to boot. Colour Riche Balm leaves lips feeling softer and supple all day long, as well as conditioned for up to 2.5 hours after the balm is removed.

There are eight beautiful shades, that are specific to their colored packaging, so choosing an everyday shade is simple.

Tender Mauve
Pink Satin
Heavenly Berry
Rose Elixir
Nourishing Nude
Plush Plum
Caring Coral
Caramel Comfort

Colour Riche Balm: Pink Satin, Caring Coral

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 8 HR Le Gloss - $9.99
With a new and improved formulas as well as four new gorgeous shades, Infallible Le Gloss leaves lips glossy in color for 8 hours now. With the addition of a new polymer that extends wear while also reducing the level of stickiness for improved comfort, Lip-Infusing Emollients wrap the lips in comfort, leaving them feeling ultra soft and moisturized, while providing a smooth base for beautiful color pigment.

Le Gloss: Pink Topaz, Glistening Berry

L'Oreal Paris Magic Smooth Souffle Blush - $12.95
This is probably my favorite out of all the launches, this bouncy blush leaves my cheeks beautiful. It blends so easily onto my skin for seamless, beautiful - breathable color. Just a small amount is all you need. I just place a very small dot on the apple of my cheek and blends out. It is so fun to feel the light as air feel blend onto skin then turn into an almost powder.

Souffle Blush comes in four shades for the prettiest soft focus finish.

Celestial (Pink)
Cherubic (Rose)
Angelic (Coral)
Plume (Mauve)

Souffle Blush: Celestial, Angelic, Plume

COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara.

2012-02-13T19:41:10Z

Following up the Blast Flipstick with another Blast launch from COVERGIRL is, like I said, COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara.

COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara - $7.99

Once again, expanding on the hugely popular and wonderful LashBlast formula, comes a long-lasting mascara formula that doesn't budge for 24 hours - and beyond. Lashes are left, full and thick, full of volume from root to tip. The brush makes sure that each and every lash is coated with the mascara and not clumped with it.

The formula is a perfect blend of volumizing, charged structurants, plus pigments and waxes enveloped in lash bonding resins that are resistant to the main threats to lasting lash beauty. Also, protective resins resist skin’s natural oils, ensuring smudge-resistant, and flake-resistant volume for hours. To remove, you need to use an oil based eye makeup remover. Yes, it really lasts.

To test that claim, I took LashBlast 24 HR Mascara for the ultimate test drive. I applied it first thing in the morning and did not remove it when I went to bed that night. As I went to remove the rest of the makeup from my face, my lashes still looked great. Big and bold and black. In the morning, my lashes were still pretty full, with minimal smudging under my eyes. Let's face it, the smudging could have been from my liner that I tried to carefully remove while leaving the mascara on, and I did sleep for about 7 hours. I do not recommend doing this, but the test was to see if the mascara would live up to its claim, and it did. The fact that my lashes looked great at the very end of the night is really all I needed to know, enough so that this one moves up to the top of my list of mascara faves.

LashBlast 24HR Mascara comes in 7 (7!) shades to suit your every mood or need.

Very Black
Enduring Black
Black
Eternal Brown
Black Brown
Blue Black
Black Gold

If you need your lashes to look great all day without touching up, this one is for you. Look for LashBlast 24HR Mascara in drugstores and mass retailers now.

COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick.

2012-02-13T11:10:05Z

This season, COVERGIRL has added to its Blast line up of products with Blast Flipstick and another great version of Lashblast, Lashblast 24HR Mascara. They are both on trend as they answer the need for long-wearing and double-duty products.

In this post, I am going to go over the Blast Flipstick and then follow it later today with a post on the Lashblast 24HR Mascara.

COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick - $7.99

This double sided stick contains two lip colors, both coordinating. One side contains a cream lip color and the other a shimmer shade. You can, of course, wear each shade alone or together. I like taking a cream shade and adding a shimmer shade over it (as you would a lipgloss), just in the middle of the lip, to give a more pouty look. Pat McGrath does this in a video below, and I love putting expert tips to use.

The Blast Flipstick colors, especially the cream shades, are are very pigmented and are quite long-lasting. They give me a nice color for at least 6 hours of wear on lighter shades; while some of the darker, more pigmented cream shades (Flashy, Intense) have my lips shaded all day long. Touching up with a bit of the shimmer side is simple and easy to do, if needed, during the day. Also, the formula is moisturizing, so it mixes perfectly without leaving lips feel heavy or dry at all.

There are 13 Flipsticks to choose from, giving you 26 shades to mix and match until your heart is content.

Whisper - taupe and pearl pink shades
Pucker - light berry and lilac shades
Glimmer - dark berry and soft pink shades
Flashy - dark berry and lilac shades
Vixen - burgundy and pearl pink shades
Perky - bright pink and light pink shades
Tease - red and gold shades
Cheeky - bright pink and peach shades
Stunner - bright pink and gold shades
Snap - taupe and sand shades
Smooch - copper and sand shades
Minx - deep brown and gold shades
Intense - deep berry and taupe shades

Cheeky, Flashy, Glimmer, Intense

SHOP M·A·C, COOK M·A·C Product Photos.

2012-02-10T19:14:33Z

The SHOP M·A·C, COOK M·A·C collection is here, and I have a few of the products for you to gaze over. First, we need to talk about the adorable packaging. Who doesn't love a pastel gingham plaid print - on a M·A·C box no less? Call me crazy, but I totally get excited about these things.

The products are something you will most definitely be excited about once you look at them. There are quite a few must haves here. There are a lot of great products and new shades to really like here, and I have to say that I am really enjoying the Kissable Lipcolours. I know, they are re-launches from a few years ago, but I am glad to have been re-introduced.

EyeshadowX4 Call Me Bubbles, Colour Added

Cremeblend Blush Restores Dazzle!

Lipstick Naughty Sauté, Quick Sizzle

Kissable Lipcolour Enchantee, Woo Me

Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution.

2012-02-10T11:00:47Z

I have sun damage and I am old. Well, not that old; but old enough to be dealing with age spots and sun discolorations galore. I am constantly trying new products to help fade the damage. The latest one I am testing that I couldn't wait to share with you is this Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution from Kiehl's.

This is no ordinary spot corrector. You see, it uses Vitamin C as the key ingredient to run over skins cells (exfoliate) and fade spots. So when I saw that this formula was clear and that the bottle was clear, I was left wondering what was up. Vitamin C is known to break down in light and is usually found in brown bottles. But that is where this is very different. The Vitamin C in Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is actually Activated C, the latest generation in Vitamin C derivatives. It is photostabilized, which is so important. It does not break down. And Kiehl's is the first to bring this to market.

The unique, entirely clear preparation is 100% active so that is quickly attacks even deep set dark spots by breaking apart the clusters. Better yet, by using it all over the face, it helps prevent the formation of new pigment clusters (dark spots).

Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is working for me. I apply this prior to my serum, every morning and night, all over my face. It feels and absorbs like water with a bit of a slip. I use about four little drops, which is plenty for me. I have been using it for just about two weeks now and my most stubborn age spot "patch" is visibly breaking apart. For this I am more than thrilled. Though I have been happy with my current hyperpigmentation routine, this is obviously doing a better job - and in such a short period of time! I think this one will knock out my current Age Spot Lightener out of my favorites place, where it has been for over two years.

If you battle with age spots, I urge you to give this Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution a try. It sells for $49.50, which gets you 1 fluid ounce. The price is right on with other dark spot correctors, but not of this quality. For the ingredients and science behind this product, I would honestly expect it to cost more. Let me just say that if Kiehl's were to charge $100 for this, I already know I would be repurchasing. Yes - this one is that good.

Kiehl's also believes that everyone deserves a chance at radiant, clear skin, so they are giving away 100 bottles on their facebook page. It’s easy to participate. Just go to Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective tab and scroll down to enter: http://www.facebook.com/KiehlsSince1851?sk=app_227869207293077 The contest will be live until Feb. 27, at 9 PM EST.

Spring 2012: Clarins Colour Breeze.

2012-02-09T19:04:36Z

This spring, Clarins introduces a makeup collection that is an ode to lightness. It is downright gorgeous - and really what you would expect for spring, especially when making up a beautiful natural spring time look. The overall result is a bright and luminous complexion, defined cheek bones, ultra shiny lips and of course, irresistible eyes.

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette - $40.00
A beautiful eye palette that combines spring time subtle shades of blues, greys and silver. The mineral formula can be applied wet or dry for a long wear and intense colour.

Blue Sky

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette Blue Sky

Colour Breeze Face & Blush Powder - $35.00
This silky smooth powder glides over the skin in a harmony of four complementing shades.

Instant Light Blush - $28.00
A smooth creamy blush that blends into the skin to sculpt, smooth and colour the cheeks. These are so pretty and deliver a subtle shaded glow.

Vitamin Pink
Coral Tonic
Brown Fizz

Instant Light Blush Vitamin Pink

Joli Rouge Lipsticks - $24.00
An ultra-hydrating classis lipstick form the brand in four, fresh new shades.

Poppy Red
Baby Pink
Sheer Pink Magnolia
Sheer Pink Coral

Joli Rouge Lipstick Baby Pink, Poppy Red

Mask Your Dull Skin with SK-II.

2012-02-09T11:02:58Z

If your skin is suffering this winter through the dry heat and colder climates, try a mask for some much needed hydration. SK-II makes some wonderful masks that are simple to use. All you have to do is select the right one for your skin.

Facial Treatment Mask - Offers maximum hydration to replenish skin's moisture
Signs Eye Mask - To hide the signs of tired, puffy eyes and dark circles
Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask - To lift and firm the skin
Whitening Source Derm Revival Mask - For anyone with pigmentation or for dull skin

To get the most out of your mask, try one of my tips. Trust me, I am using a mask at least once a week now and have learned how to make it work for my dull skin.

For extra hydration, warm the mask by placing the packet under running hot water for a couple of minutes prior to opening. The warmth increases the hydration.
To reduce puffiness and generate an extra-refreshing feel, chill the mask in the freezer for a few minutes before applying to the skin. Though I really like doing this only in the summer, if you really need some firming, this is the way to go.
Target two prime wrinkle concerns with one mask - use an eye mask under your eyes for five minutes, then flip it over and apply the same to the laugh lines near your mouth.

These masks work really well and are even seen backstage at New York Fashion Week (which just so happens to start today). Celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath loves using these masks to prep models' skin backstage before shows, prior to applying their makeup.

You can purchase these masks online through shop.sk-ii.com.

Bobbi Brown Listen to Your Heart Palette.

2012-02-08T17:17:56Z

One of the first shows kicking off this season of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week is The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show. Coming back for the seventh year in a row, Bobbi Brown is again a proud sponsor of the evening.

This year Bobbi created an exclusive, limited-edition Classic To Go Palette in support of the campaign. The palette features three universally flattering Eye Shadows, two Lip Colors and a mini Lip Gloss. The palette even features a specially designed package and the tagline "Listen to Your Heart."

This petite palette is perfect. Look at the shades:

Pale Mauve Lip Color - Light pinky mauve
Tulle Lip Color - Soft pink
Mini Naked Plum High Shimmer Lip Gloss - Rosy brown with pink pearl
Bone Eye Shadow - Off white
Cement Eye Shadow - Grey beige
Caviar Eye Shadow - Blackest brown

A small quantity of this limited edition set is available on bobbibrown.com for $25.00 now.

Matrix Total Results.

2012-02-08T11:04:19Z

Looking for a new line of styling products that will have your hair looking like you just stepped out of a salon? Use what the pros are using from Matrix, and you are almost guaranteed that look every day. With these 5 new styling products which make up the line called Total Results, you can address your most common hair challenges.

What do you deal with? Dry and lifeless hair? Dull, faded hair color? Is your hair frizzy? Fine or limp? Check out these new beauties below and find which one suits your hairs needs.

Moisture Cure 2-Phase Treatment
This unique, two-phase, spray-on treatment is perfect for my dry, damaged hair. It is enriched with apricot oil for smoothness and intense shine, with glycerin for lasting moisture and softness. Just what my hair needs! This revitalizes both he internal and external hair fibers, seals the hair cuticle, detangles, and helps protect hair from everything out there in the environment.

Color Care Miracle Treat 12 Lotion Spray
If you color your hair, you know how important it is to protect it. This one does just that. In fact, this one provides 12 instant benefits to us hair color users. It protects color-treated hair, detangles, helps seal the hair from damage, helps prevent hair breakage, maximizes natural body, smoothes the cuticle, deeply conditions, helps strengthen hair, delivers instant silkiness, increases manageability, tames frizz and helps to restore shine.

Sleek Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil
If you battle the frizz on a daily basis, this ultra-light formula fights it off for you. With concentrated olive oil, silkiness and shine are instantly restored, while frizz is smoothed and under control. And this beauty resists humidity, so hair looks great all day, no matter the weather.

Amplify Wonder Boost Root Lifter
Whether you want a targeted boost of volume or just a big voluminous look, this one gives you that volume you crave all day. The clean, weightless formula features protein and panthenol for flexible hold and touchable fullness that is not stiff or sticky.

Curl Super Defrizzer Gel
This unique liquid formula vanishes into hair instantly and leaves behind soft, yet a strong touchable hold - without any of the crunch or weighing hair down. Jojoba oil and wheat starch offer maximum frizz prevention and nourishment for perfect hair. This one is especially great for curls and waves.

Matrix Total Results products are in salons now, and each product sells for an affordable price of $16.00.

Get Red Carpet Ready with Murad.

2012-02-07T20:31:40Z

It is award season in Hollywood. Yes, time for many red carpets rolling out. Now, you know that the celebrities don't just how up looking glam with no work before hand. I bet they spend weeks prepping their skin for the world to see.

In fact, celebs including Susan Sarandon, Academy Award Winner; Toni Collette, Golden Globe Award Winner; Kim Cattrall, Golden Globe and SAG Award Winner; Emily Blunt, Golden Globe Award Winner; Dianna Agron, SAG Award Winner; and Olivia Wilde, SAG Award Nominee, all rely on Murad products to get them looking extra gorgeous. One little kit that they are using and swearing by is this beauty from Murad, appropriately called the Award Season Survival Kit. It houses four must have Murad products to help them get through the season while looking their best - plus a few exclusive services that I would love to try.

Murad’s Hybrid Skin Perfecting Primer Acne and Shine Control - $35.00

A triple threat that controls shine, evens skin tone, and treats breakouts

Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum - $60.00
I swear by this serum and have been using it for well over a year now. It has made my favorites list twice, and is lightened my age spots and dramatically improved the evenness of my skin tone.

Clinically proven to restore clarity and even skin tone by reducing the appearance of sun spots and age spots 33% in 1 week
Targets, treats and prevents pigmentation caused by daily environmental exposure.

Murad’s New Intensive-C Radiance Peel
This will be available on March 1 and you will want to make note of this beauty. I have used it and after just ten minutes and a few minutes of tingling on my skin (I know it is working!), my skin is so much more bright and radiant. It is such a great dull skin pick-me up, as it is full of antioxidant and skin brighteners.

Perfect for starlets looking to restore and renew skin from prior sun damage or heavy sun exposure

Perfecting Serum - $62.00

Provides a flawless, long wearing finish alone or under makeup. Creating a sheer barrier to lock in moisture for radiant skin, this serum smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and is essential for priming skin for flawless makeup application.

The Murad Inclusive Health Spa’s Signature Massage

Deep relaxation for body and mind. Getting a massage is more than just a great way to unwind. Scientific studies continue to reveal that the healing power of touch increases cellular water content, boosts the immune system, improves sleep patterns, reduces stress and lifts the spirit.

The Inclusive Health Consultation

A unique kind of wellness evaluation that will give you an objective measure of how healthy you are at a fundamental, cellular level including tactics to help improve sleep, digestion, skin texture and tone, hair, nails, weight and muscle mass and reduce fatigue.

A customized Cosmetic Peel with Dr. Murad

Provides dramatic aesthetic results with limited downtime
Dr. Murad’s proprietary treatment combines microdermabrasion and chemical peel techniques that are fully customizable to each patient’s individual skin concerns and special needs.

While the products are pictured together in this exclsuive kit, they are for sale individually at murad.com.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Foundation.

2012-02-07T11:06:44Z

I am so thrilled that Benefit Cosmetics has added a liquid foundation to their line up of fun, fantastic makeup products. It was a long time coming, but very worth the wait.

Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Foundation will have you saying WOW too. I am really impressed. Not only does it wear well (read below for my personal thoughts on using), this beauty is formulated to protect against environmental aggressors with its SPF 25 PA++. It also contains derivatives of Vitamins C & E to help skin look better and fight the signs of aging. Those ingredients also tend to add brightening to a look.

The formula is light, yet hydrating. It is very liquid, and I get the right amount for me in just one pump. I found that it is best applied with a foundation brush for the most flawless coverage - otherwise your sponge will just soak this up. The coverage is light and natural, but build able if you need more. Just use your fingers and apply where you want a bit more coverage or add on a second layer if you really think you need to. I like a medium coverage foundation, but the look was so pretty, even and bright looking, that one layer applied with a foundation brush, as I said, was really enough for me.

Oxygen WOW comes in the following 9 shades, formulated for light, medium and deep skin tones.

Ivory - I'm Pure 4 Sure
Petal - I'm Plush & Precious
Champagne - Cheers to me
Honey - I'm So Money
Beige - I'm All the Rage
Toasted Beige - Warm Me Up
Amber - I'm So Glamber
Hazelnut - I'm Hopelessly Hot
Nutmeg - Gotta Know Me

I am using the shade Honey, which is a bit dark for my NC30 skin tone, but I think it will be perfect for when I am doing a light self-tan. This formula is very breathable that I really think I will enjoy using it in the summer, when I am self-tanning, and I plan to use this shade then. That is, if I get it back from my daughter. This shade is perfect for her as she is a shade or so darker than me, and much more olive. She really loves it, applying not even a full pump with her fingers. She has also explained to me that it is important for her to really blend it out with her fingers to get a nice sheer, natural finish. I know - makeup advice from a 16 year old? Ha! It goes to show you though, that liking a more medium coverage and using a brush gives me the right finish; and for her, her fingertips do the job for her finish. It really is a great idea to experiment with application methods when it comes to foundation to find the one suitable for you.

Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW retails for $34.00, and is so new that you can only buy it right now from HSN.com, but it will be available online at benefitcosmetics.com come February 15th and in stores by March 1st.

Ricky & Nicki for M·A·C Viva Glam.

2012-02-06T11:08:43Z

It is no secret that I am a huge supporter of the M·A·C Viva Glam campaign. As the sales of VIVA GLAM products support the M·A·C Aids Fund, these products are always a favorite. This season is no exception with Ricky & Nicki for M·A·C Viva Glam.

The fearless Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj introduce Nicki’s Lipstick in a scene- stealing pink and Ricky’s colourless Lip Conditioner in a tube that goes from day to dance floor! With every cent of the selling price supporting the M·A·C AIDS FUND, It doesn’t get any hotter. They’ve teamed up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among young people-around the globe. Nicki and Ricky dare you to Be bold. Be beautiful. Be safe.

Isn't it great that they have introduced a Lip Conditioner so both men and women can get involved? I definitely think so.

Lipstick - $14.50
VIVA GLAM Nicki - Bright yellow pink (satin)

Lip Conditioner - $15.00
VIVA GLAM Ricky Lip Conditioner (tube) - Clear

The latest VIVA GLAM beauties will be on counter and online at maccosmetics.com beginning February 15th.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Starter Kit.

2012-02-03T11:07:48Z

One of my favorite ways to get an instant glow is by using Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($54.00). This treatment is designed to brighten up dull and tired looking skin.And who doesn't deal with that once or twice a week?

I use the mask at least once a week in the shower, and this energizer helps my skin glow and feel more vibrant and awake. To use, I dampen my face with wet fingers, squeeze out three or four pumps of this citrus-y smelling, creamy gel. Within seconds, I start to feel the gel quickly start to foam up and tingle - almost tickle. In a good way, I must add. It feels so refreshing. I leave the mask on for a total of five minutes, then rinse.

To extend the glow from the mask, Bliss has an entire line of Triple Oxygen products. Of course, I want to try them all. I am thinking that the Triple Oxygen Starter Kit ($46.00) is my way to go to sample more of the beauties in the line.

The starter kit includes:

Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Cleansing Foam
Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Gel
Triple Oxygen+C Energizing Cream

Have you tried any of the Triple Oxygen products?

You can find all of Bliss products in the Bliss spas, of course, online at blissworld.com and at Sephora.

Spring 2012: Lancôme Roseraie Des Delices.

2012-02-02T11:02:01Z

Another spring collection that just has your senses warming up to spring is this new one from Lancôme. It is called Roseraie Des Delices, created by Aaron De Mey.

Roseraie Des Delices is inspired by a rose garden on a balmy, tranquil afternoon. The beautiful collection features blush, eyeshadow palettes, and lip colors in soft pinks and greens. Did I say it was beautiful? Yes. It. Is.

De Mey hoped to capture the palette of summer nature, translating water, sun and sky into makeup shades that illuminate both sun-kissed and fair complexions. I said he did an amaing job, as the pastels are woven together like not much we have seen in the past from Lancôme.

The sophisticated collection includes the following products:

Cheeks

La Roseraie Illuminating Powder - $42.00
Multi-color powder blush embossed with a delicate rose

Eyes

Color Design 5 Pan Shadow and Liner Palette - $49.00

Rose Romance
Vert Tendresse

Lips

Le French Touch Absolu Nu - $35.00

Cotton Candy – Sheer pink lipstick in playful ornate packaging

L’Absolu Nu Replenishing & Enhancing Lipcolor - $29.50

Rose Petal
Sweet Marmalade

Color Fever Gloss - $26.00

Green Petal
Tangerine Petal
Rose Petal

The Vert Tendresse is so beautiful, especially if you love wearing soft green shades. I could see this as a favorite amongst my red haired friends.

The gloss in Green Petal is deceiving, so do not let the look in the tube fool you. As you can see in the swatch, it is a very glossy, slightly mother-of-pearl glossy with pretty flecks of shimmer. It is gorgeous, especially over a pink lipstick.

See the Lancôme Roseraie Des Delices now on all Lancôme counters or online at lancome.com.

How to Get Beautiful Beachy Waves in 5 Simple Steps.

2012-02-01T18:47:56Z

Beautiful beachy waves are all the rage. Achieving this beautiful look that is seen on all your favorite celebrities is easier than you think.

All you need are the right Aussie stylers and and the right tools along with these tips from Aussie Celebrity Stylist Sarah Potempa. With just 5 simple steps and a little practice, you will have the routine down in no time.

Immediately after showering, apply Aussie Smoothing Serum to wet hair, which will reduce damage caused by styling tools and protect your hair against frizz all day long!
After loosely blow drying hair, separate strands into two sections on the left and right sides of your head and spritz Aussie Heat Protecting Shine Spray directly on each section to create a barrier between the hair and the heat, while adding a natural, sun-kissed shine to the hair.
Select Left (L) or Right (R) on the Beachwaver based on the side of your head you’re curling. This will control which direction the curling iron rotates to ensure both sides look flawless.
Clamp the curling iron near the ends of the hair (always start with the clamp facing you so it rotates away from your face) and press the “GO” button to automatically rotate and curl your hair without having to twist your wrist! Release the “GO” button to stop the rotation, wait about 10 seconds and release the clamp. Slide hair off of the barrel for beautiful waves.
Allow hair to cool before applying Aussie Anti-Frizz Cream for a smooth finish and run your fingers through curls for gorgeous, easy beach waves!

Check out Sarah’s Beachwaver how-to video to see her in action creating this super beautiful look.

If you don't want to invest in a new tool, look at what you already have at home. I actually use a 1.25 inch curling iron that has been sitting in a drawer unused. I just hold the iron vertically down (with the handle on top) and simply wrap my sectioned hair backward around the barrel. It took some practice, but with some patience, I am getting really good at achieving my own beachy waves myself. The trick is definitely using the right styling products and only the fingers to loosen the waves.

Spring 2012: Urban Decay.

2012-02-01T11:27:20Z

Yes, the NAKED2 Eyeshadow Palette may be the star of the new spring Urban Decay products, but there are some must-have honorable mentions too. In fact these great new shades from some of the UD best sellers are some that you must know about.

24/7 Concealer Pencil - $18.00
This invisible, more than medium coverage pencil glides over and covers under-eye circles, dark spots and blemishes with ease. Loaded with Vitamin E, this pencil nourishes while blending seamlessly into the skin. It dries down beautifully matte, giving a soft focus to your look.

There are 4 new shades (all darker) in the line-up, with a great new updated look for all 7 of them.

CIA - Very light/Creamy ivory
DEA - Light/Peaches and cream
FBI - Light medium/Beige
NSA - Medium/Beige
ATF - Medium dark/Golden beige (new shade)
DOD - Dark/Warm tan (new shade)
KGB - Darker/Golden caramel (new shade)
M16 - Deepest/Cocoa (new shade)

Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color - $19.00
You will not believe how beautifully pigmented and long-lasting these colors are. Hard to find in a super easy to glide on pencil formula, this lip color lasts and shines longer than your average lipstick. Plus, the color stays in place and doesn't feather. Forget the gloss too as the shades are glossy enough on their own.

There are 2 new shades to the line up of 7.

Apocalypse - Deep berry with a creme finish (new shade)
Lovechild - Cool pink with a creme finish (new shade)
Adrenaline - Pinkish red with sparkle finish
Big Bang - Bright fuchsia with sparkle finish
Crush - Hot pink with creme finish
F-Bomb - Bright red with creme finish
Punch Drunk - Bright red-orange with creme finish

Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss - $19.00
These new men, er, shades of the infamous Pocket Rocket just might have you blushing. Of course, not only can you gaze at these super hot Pocket Rocket men, you can slather your lips in gorgeous gloss that lasts hours. Plus, the gloss is actually designed more wide and flat, so it easily slips into your pocket for easy to reach for touch-ups.

The two new guys and their shades:

Dustin - He will chop down your tree and get your fire going with this beautiful light nude shade that boasts multi-dimensional sparkle and shimmer.
Rashad - Paging the good doctor to get your heart pumping and lips gorgeous in this beautiful opaque dusty rose.

24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil - $19.00
Previously only available in gift sets, the 3 most sought after shades of their best selling eye pencils are now for sale on their own. These pencils are waterproof and stay full of bold color all day. Forget the smudging or fading, these beauties do not budge after about 30 seconds of play time.

There are 26 shades in all, now available alone:

Demolition - Matte deepest darkest brown
Perversion - Matte blackest carbon black
Woodstock - Bright fuchsia pink shimmer with silver micro glitter

You can pick up all the latest from Urban Decay spring at Sephora, ULTA, select Macy's and of course at urbandecay.com.

TRIA Hair Removal Laser Update 2.

2012-01-31T11:02:37Z

I told you about the TRIA Beauty Hair Removal Laser back in October. If you haven't read my introductory post, please take a few minutes to do so, so you can follow along. Basically, I am testing out this new system from TRIA Beauty, a leader in light-based laser technology.

As I said, I am using the TRIA on my underarm area. I began by using it twice a week. Over the past few weeks, I only use it one time a week. Why? Well, as you need to be cleanly smooth and freshly shaven before using, I cannot use it more than once a week now. Yes, this is progress. I only have noticeable hair growth after about 5 days, and I am shaving then. The hair is much more thin and less sparse than it was when I began using the TRIA back in November.

I am still using the TRIA on a level 3. I fully thought that I would be able to use it on level 4, but I just don't like the stinging I feel. Some of the pulses don't feel like anything, and then all of a sudden, it almost feels like a bee sting to me. I must be more sensitive in parts, so level 3 it is.

I am thrilled at the progress. So much so, that I now take the time and use it on my legs once a week. It takes just less than twenty minutes on each leg. I am on level 2 on my legs. The first time I used it on my legs, I did take too long and the battery died on me. But now that I have the pattern and motion in check, I can get a full forty minutes use out of the TRIA before it needs a recharge. It is important to note that when I received the TRIA, I was instructed to use the device twice a week for review purposes. The directions that come with the TRIA are different, explaining to use it once every two weeks. I settled on using it on just once a week on my legs - mainly because of the time involved.

When I began, I thought I would use this on my underarms and bikin area, where I am very sensitive. I think this is why I decided to use it on my legs before bikini area, but now that am quite comfortable with using the TRIA, I think I am going to add in my bikini area now. I doubt I will be able to tolerate anything more than a level 1, but we will see.

Stay tuned for another update the end of February.

The retails for $395. The website often runs specials, so if you are seriously condering the TRIA Laser, be sure to check it out often for promotional offers and codes. The TRIA Hair Removal Laser is the only FDA-cleared hair removal laser that is approved for permanent hair removal at home.

Spring 2012: Rimmel London.

2012-01-30T11:14:16Z

This season, the hottest beauty look out of London is bright, beautiful emphasized eyes offset by a gorgeous natural flush. With high impact shadow shades, precision liner, ultra-plumping mascara and custom cheek color, Rimmel London’s latest spring collection has everything you need to play up your peepers, highlight your cheeks and get noticed this spring.

Eyeshadow in English Oak, ScandalEyes Mascara

New products include:

Volume Flash ScandalEyes Mascara – $6.99
Get scandalous lashes with the flexible new MaxDensity brush that’s longer, wider, denser and 50% bigger than Rimmel’s biggest brush featuring triple the collagen and keratin of other mascaras on the market. This is available in Black or Extreme Black.

I am pretty impressed with this mascara and was really excited to try it, as it was my first using a Rimmel London mascara. After two coats, the formula does get a bit clumpy, but two coats is more than enough for me. My lashes are really thick, lengthened and beautifully bold and black while using. After wearing all day, I experienced no smudging, and very minimal flaking.

Glam’Eyes HD Eyeshadow – $5.99
The boldest eyeshadow pigments you’ve ever seen, packed with multi-reflective pigments, each intense, vibrant eyeshadow shade coats lids in dazzling color. The dual-use shadows work wet or dry, allowing you to customize your color. This mini palette is available in 8 shades: Black Cab, English Oak, Royal Blue, Green Park, English Rose, Purple Reign, Heart Of Gold, and True Union Jack.

English Oak is a beautiful myriad of warm brown shades. It is easy to get a beautiful brown makeup look when combining the shades, though getting the lighter shades on their own is not as easy as it looks, as there is only a very small bit of them, and most of my brushes pick up other shades too. My favorite way to wear it is just by using a larger eyeshadow fluff brush and blend it all over the shadows together, and then gently sweep it all over my lid and crease. It gives a beautiful daytime look. If I want more drama or depth, I use a crease brush and add in the darker shade just there.

Match Perfection 3 Tone Blush – $4.97 (at Walmart)
Wake up your face with a flush of customized natural cheek color. Featuring Smart-Tone technology that adapts to your unique skin tone and blue sapphire pigments for radiant true-to-you color. All you have to do i select your shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium or Medium/Dark.

I didn't get to try this, but the idea is a good one. I love blending shades to get a more customized look. Hopefully I will find it in the store and give it a try. I am guessing I would use the Light/Medium, as the Light looks very pale, and I do like color on my cheeks.

Exaggerate Eye Liner – $6.00
This breakthrough liquid liner features an ultra-fine felt tip designed to absorb maximum liquid liner and deposit intense pigment for bold, exact application and majorly amplified eyes. This is only available in Black.

Rimmel London can be found in drugstores and mass merchandisers.

Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten.

2012-01-27T19:16:32Z

Stila's Kitten shade is a long-time best seller. It is the perfect shimmery pinky nude shade of eyeshadow, that I still wear quite often. It is one of those shades that looks gorgeous no matter how you wear it. It is great as a highlighter or on the inner corner of your eyes to brighten them up and make you look more awake. Well, let me just say that I think this new Smudge Crayon in Kitten ($22.00) is going to rival the original Kitten eyeshadow.

This Smudge Crayon is a primer, shadow,and liner in one. It is waterproof. I mean, this beauty does not budge. I have been using it under my brow and on the inner corner of my eyes since I got it earlier this week.

When using it as a shadow, you have to work fast and make sure it is in place. Remember, I said it does not budge. This is especially why I like it as a liner on the inner corners of my eyes. The line smoothes on and stays put, helping me look bright eyed and bushy-tailed.

Spring 2012: Armani 'Luce the Armani Light' Collection.

2012-01-27T11:12:11Z

Inspired by Mr. Armani’s love of light and its effect on color, this spring season, gold takes center stage. This is 'Luce the Armani Light' Collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty.

Soft pastels are instantly updated with a hint of antique gold, in a myriad of ways. “Luce d’oro” , a precious new pigment is added to eyeshadows. Cheeks are soft glowing pink. Lips are sheer and glossy. Muted shades of pink accented by coco and greige add a chic contrast.

How to get the “Luce” look by Linda Cantello:
“Apply your color of choice swept over the eye lid. Then use one of the pencils to highlight the inner corners of the eye. A new way of applying shadow. Sweep of luminous color up through the temples and over the lip’s cupid’s bow takes us straight through to Spring 2012 as seen on Giorgio Armani runway.” Linda Cantello

Eye Palette - $59.00

The new secret of radiance, the precious “Luce d’oro” pigment gives a special luminosity to the eye.
Two are the must-have products for the season: a palette that combines soft pastels with the luster of antique gold and one that presents a harmony of gold and copper accented with a moonlight silver.

Tourmaline Pink Blush - $55.00

A subtle blush softer than the classic formulas where white, beige and pink replace the classic white powders.
Micronized to the extreme, this blush leaves a translucent glow that illuminates every complexion.

Eye Pencils - $27.00

Pure wave of light in an exquisite texture. Offered in two versions, antique gold and copper, this exceptional pencil brightens eyes with metallic definition. Remarkably soft and creamy upon application, the formula is as precise as a kohl, as intense as an eyeliner. It creates a long-lasting, water-resistant outline which stays intense for hours.

Gloss d’Armani - $28.00

Thanks to the exclusive Color-Fil Shine technology, Gloss d’Armani has the ability to form a supple mesh that traps pigments and pearlescent particles. A supple, silky weave of shine, Gloss d’Armani stays radiant for over eight hours.
Four unique colors: “Greige d’Armani”, “Caffeine”, “Wild rose” and “Blush”.

The Spring 2012 collection is available now online at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com and at Armani Fifth Avenue and select fine department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Barneys.

Spring 2012: Guerlain Spring Color Collection.

2012-01-26T11:05:05Z

Guerlain tells the story of spring by pairing bursts of pink along side the intensity of black. Sophisticated and elegant, this color collection defines femininity while also revealing one’s inner seductress. Meet the Guerlain Spring Color Collection "The Pinks and The Blacks".

There are both limited edition beauties as well as some beautiful new permanent products that have been added to the line.

Limited edition for spring:

MÉTÉORITES CRUEL GARDENIA - $67.00
Packaged within the legendary rosette of the Météorites Perles, a stunning pink flower is found. Named after one of the Exclusive Fragrances from the House of Guerlain, Météorites Cruel Gardenia will light up the skin with a subtly iridescent veil. Create a radiant complexion by applying all over the face or in a specific area such as the cheekbones to structure the face.

ROUGE G - $48.00
As an ode to the color pink, four new glamorous shades have been created this spring in its honor. With a dash of ruby powder, hyaluronic acid to smooth and plump, a hint of filling Gugul resin, plumping Tiger Grass, and wild mango butter for perfect hydration, your lips will be left radiant and as soft as a flower petal.
The “Pink Collection” Rouge G comes in 4 Limited Edition Shades:
•72 Rose Innocent
•73 Rose Ensoleillé
•74 Rose Piquant
•75 Rose Barbare

New permanent products:

ÉCRIN 6 COULEURS EYESHADOW PALETTE - $85.00
Within one case lays 6 eyeshadow colors. The central luminous pink shade is surrounded by pearl mauve, tea rose, soft violet and soft pink, while a liner traces the eyes in an intense plum. Whether you create a tone-on-tone, couture or smoky eye look, the result is captivating. Moonstone, the key ingredient, adorns the eyes with its silvery reflection and lamellar structure to keep the eyeshadow in place longer for a fresher look.
New permanent shade: 66 Boulevard du Montparnasse

ÉCRIN 4 COULEURS LONG-LASTING EYESHADOWS - $59.00
Each harmony of Ecrin 4 Couleurs is composed of an interplay of four different and specially selected textures to allow you to mix and match, to define your own look.
Two new permanent shades:
•12 Les Aquas- For a sophisticated and stunning gaze, this palette mixes an iridescent blue, a matte navy, a velvety turquoise and a glacier metallic blue.
•11 Les Roses- Consisting of an iridescent pink with pearl particles, a matte pink, a metallic violet, and a raspberry shade with a velvety finish, this palette allows you to create a fresh yet seductive look.

KISS KISS GLOSS – $32.00
This season lips are pretty in pink! Kiss Kiss Gloss will melt over the lips allowing for a comfortable, long-lasting shine.
Four new permanent shades:
•869 Rose in Bloom: pure pink.
•870 Cherry Pink: a gourmand pastel.
•871 Frosted Rose: an off-white with delicate, subtle pink mother-of-pearl particles.
•872 Flush Pink: an intense fuchsia.

Guerlain’s Spring Color Collection is available now at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman.

Spring 2012: Zoya True and Fleck Effect.

2012-01-25T11:05:13Z

Next up in my spring collection rundowns is actually two from nail brand Zoya. One is very Spring with unexpectedly soft and beautiful shades. The colors in the Zoya Spring 2012 True Collection really speak spring to me, with its variations form very light and creamy nude, to a subtly shimmery muted grape.

Cho - Opaque yellow-toned light soft peachy beige with a hint of ultra fine silver shimmer. A light, creamy nude especially nice for skin tones with olive or yellow undertones.
Farah - Opaque light khaki-beige with subtle sandy, greenish undertones and a cream finish. An always appropriate neutral to add to your polish wardrobe.
Bevin - Dusty, medium sage green with teal tones and a creamy opaque finish. A stylish and unique shade for when you want something different from the usual mint green.
Skylar - Medium steel blue with a softened, dusty look and speckled by visible gold and silver shimmer flecks. A soft blue that's bold without being too dark, bright or flashy.
Tru - Saturated, red-toned grape purple with speckled shimmer that reflects gold, orange and red.? Bold and saturated warm color made even more interesting with color-shifting shimmer.
Lotus - Very soft, dusty blue-toned amethyst purple with colorful shimmer that reflects pink, red and gold. A dreamy smoky shade for purple lovers that looks both soft and luminous.

The next one is really fun, called Fleck Effect. Think flecks of color that you can wear alone, but better yet and really designed to be top coats. When topped over another shade, these colors really make the flecks of color pop.

Maisie - Sheer turquoise blue base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from green to blue. A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect.
Opal - Sheer green base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from bright green to blue. A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect.
Chloe - Sheer coral pink base with two types of duochrome Mylar flakes: red-orange to gold and gold-green to blue. A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect.

Each nail lacquer retails for $8.00 each. It is important to note that Zoya Nail Polish is a nail polish free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor.

Both True and Fleck Effect are available now at professional salons, or online through Zoya.com.

Spring 2012: Bobbi Brown Rose Gold Collection.

2012-01-24T17:10:14Z

Now is this is what I am talking about when it comes to beautiful spring beauty. The Bobbi Brown Rose Gold Collection is calling me like no other yet this season. I live for pinks and gold, so you can see exactly why I am so in awe of these beautiful spring beauties.

The inspiration behind Rose Gold is simple and romantic: Bobbi's treasured rose gold wedding band. Here, she shares her secrets to wearing this season’s prettiest hue. This collection offers the perfect shades of pinks, roses, corals and plums to take your look from winter to spring. Gorgeous! With two new shimmer bricks that are both must have if I say so myself, and an assortment of universally flattering lip glosses and lip colors, you will find the perfect Rose Gold shades for your complexion.

"Rose gold is instant prettiness." - Bobbi Brown.

Shimmer Brick Compact - $39.00
Nothing lights up the face like a bit of shimmer. One season, with just minutes to go before the runway lights went up, a fashion designer asked Bobbi to give all the models a lit-from-within look. So she took a shimmery eye shadow and dusted it on everyone’s cheeks—and that’s how the idea for Shimmer Brick was born.

Each of Bobbi’s iconic Shimmer Brick Compacts are handmade in Italy via a manufacturing process that involves pressing five different shades of ultra-luxe pure pearl pigments into one pan and double baking them.

Rose Gold
Wildrose

Rich Color Gloss Shades - $23.00
Rich Color Lip Gloss offers the look and benefits of three products in one: the full color coverage of a lipstick, the soft shine of a gloss, and the luxurious feel of a balm. The modern formula moisturizes and conditions, wears comfortably, and lasts for hours. Now available
in four NEW shades, all perfect for spring.

Pink Sorbet
Angel Pink
Pink Gold
Pink Cocoa

Rich Lip Color SPF 12 Shades - $23.00
Rich Color Lipstick SPF 12 is a lightweight and incredibly emollient lip color formula. The colorless and translucent base coupled with a special gel system allows for intense color release and true color projection. The soft, smooth texture melts onto lips for a truly comfortable wear that lasts for hours. Now available in 6 NEW universally flattering spring shades.

Lilac
Wild Rose
Nude Rose
Pink Peony
Beige Gold
Miami Coral

The Rose Gold Collection is available online at bobbibrowncosmetics.com and at Bobbi Brown counters now.

Get Tropical with Bath & Body Works Island Paradise Signature Collection.

2012-01-24T11:03:59Z

In less than a month I will be spending a much needed long week in sunny, tropical Florida. I cannot wait. Until then, I am just dreaming about it and other tropical locales in this bitter cold of winter. With the new Bath & Body Works Island Paradise Signature Collection featuring Aruba Coconut, Rio Rumberry and Bali Mango, it is easy to get lost in your senses and dream.

The collection features three tropically inviting scents in a variety of products: Body Lotion ($11), Shower Gel ($11), Fragrance Mist ($12.50) Triple Moisture Body Cream ($12.50) and Glowing Body Scrub ($14),

Aruba Coconut

Top Notes: Juicy Thai Mango, Fuji Apple, White Nectarine
Mid Notes: Passionflower, Vanilla Orchid, Casaba Melon
Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Rio Rumberry

Top Notes: Thai Papaya, Tangelo, Fresh Coconut Water, Sparkling Summer Lemon
Mid Notes: Tiare Flower Plumeria, Watery Starfruit
Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Bali Mango

Top: Sparkling Tangerine, Asian Apple, Peony
Mid Notes: Thai Lychee, Passion Flower, Pink Rose, Nectarine
Dry Notes: Raspberry Coulis, Skin Musk, Sugar Woods

Shop for these scents now at Bath & Body Works stores or online at bathandbodyworks.com.

Urban Decay NAKED2 Eyeshadow Palette.

2012-01-23T17:32:50Z

Back in December, I saw a tweet about the Urban Decay NAKED2 Palette being for sale. I remember that I was not home when I saw the tweet, and my attempts at ordering online at UrbanDecay.com from my phone failed. At the time, I thought it was my phone. Wrong! Thousands must have rushed to the site at once to order, and the ordering system was basically crippled. Seeing as the original NAKED Palette is the beauty industry's best selling palette where more than one sells every minute, it is no wonder that the sequel is selling out in records as well.

Well, I finally have my hands on the NAKED2, and I couldn't wait to share its beauty with you.

NAKED2 comes boxed beautifully in a sturdy tin, with a large mirror, and includes a custom double sided brush - Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush, and a mini Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked. Hey, those are great bonuses, but let's get to the shadows as that is what NAKED2 is all about.

NAKED2, as the original NAKED Palette has 12 shadows that are on the beautiful, every day, more neutral shade range. Now, NAKED2 does not replace NAKED, it was created to coexist with it.

The shadows, from left to right:

Foxy - Cream bisque with matte finish
Half Baked - Golden bronze with shimmery finish
Booty Call - Shimmery Cork
Chopper - Copper Shimmer with silver micro glitter
Tease - Creamy pale brown with matte finish
Snake Bite - Dark bronze shimmer with metallic base
Suspect - Pale golden beige with shimmery finish
Pistol - Light greyish brown with shimmery finish
Verve - Oyster with shimmery finish
YDK - Cool bronze shimmer with metallic base
Busted - Deep brown with shimmery finish
Blackout - Blackest black with matte finish

As I like to limit my use of shimmery shades and only three of the shadows are matte, I was a little worried about these and thought they might be too shimmery for me. This is not at all the case, with the exception of Chopper, Snake Bite and YDK, as the shimmer is subtle and can even be worn everyday by a woman my age. Personally, I would save Chopper, Snake Bite and YDK for night or more special occasions, but I am not 25 anymore and have to be more careful about what I use on my eyes.

I am thrilled that all shades are wearable and can be mixed and matched for the ultimate in a customized natural look.

Can you truly do a natural eye look? Well, of course you can. I love using Foxy as a base, Tease on my lid and add a bit of Half Baked on the outer corner of my eyelid and smudge a bit under the eye. Or, I add Suspect in the crease over Tease and call it a day.

Can you smoke your eye with these shades? Yes, you can. Mix a bit of Pistol with Blackout and wow - the look is dramatic. Snake Bite or Busted is gorgeous for a smoky look. Or you can simply use Blackout as a liner, smudge it a bit and lighten up areas (yes, a matte black can be hard to wear) with Half Baked or YDK. Honestly, you just have to play with it and find what you love for your very own NAKED2 look.

NAKED2 ($50.00) has been in stock from time to time both at UrbanDecay.com and at Sephora.com, where it is due to hit stores any day. Also online, it is for sale at ulta.com, macys.com and beauty.com. It will also be at ULTA stores and select Macy's, so when you are out shopping, be sure to look for it.

Erase Mistakes with ProEven Total Dark Spot Corrector.

2012-01-23T11:05:09Z

In the deep of winter, it is easy to notice your past mistakes on the skin. I would guess that most of us spent too much time in the sun over a certain summer or vacation, and the wear and tear on your skin, especially your face, is showing the signs of wear and tear. It is probably drier and most notably uneven, with age or sun spots showing up. Well, you can erase, or fade those mistakes with skin lighteners. One such lightener that I am liking is Vichy's ProEVEN Total Dark Spot Corrector ($42.50).

ProEVEN Total Dark Spot Corrector is free of harsh chemical agents that are usually used in skin lighteners. This one works with DeeperCell-Concentrate, combined with LHA, Vitamin Cg and Vitamin E. Togehter, the lightweight cream acts on all surface layers of the skin and reduces the look of excess melanin, which causes the uneven-ness and age spots.

ProEVEN has a powerful triple-action:

1. Instantly reveals a more radiant glow

2. Evens skin tone

3. Reduces the appearance of dark spots

I use it all over my face, after applying my serum. After just using it for about three weeks, I am starting to notice my skin taking on a more even look. I can't say that any particular spot has actually faded yet, but as my skin is more sensitive this time of year, ProEVEN is a nice break from my usual skin lightener that contains hydroquinone. Overall, my skin looks less dull - more radiant, so that is a good thing. Hopefully, I will notice my spots fading soon.

Spring 2012: CHANEL HARMONIE DE PRINTEMPS.

2012-01-20T11:06:09Z

From the break of dawn to the descent of twilight, skies reveal an enchanting array of hues with the arrival of Spring. Inspired by this brilliant seasonal change, Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, infused glowing, sunlit colour into the CHANEL Spring 2012 Makeup Collection, HARMONIE DE PRINTEMPS. Subtle gradations of rose, coral and peach sculpt the face, giving it a soft radiance, while rich garnets and vivid pinks dress the lips.

BLUSH HORIZON DE CHANEL - GLOWING BLUSH HARMONY - $58.00

In one elegant compact, five pink and peach tones mimic the luminous hues of sunset. This unique powder blush lends itself to multiple effects: blended together, the harmony is ideal for sculpting and accentuating the natural contours of the face. Using just the pink shades creates a fresh, youthful flush, while on their own, the peach tones produce a warm, sun-bronzed glow.

ROUGE COCO BAUME - HYDRATING CONDITIONING LIP BALM - $32.00

This moisture-rich lip balm combines ultra-conditioning benefits with a sumptuous, high-gloss finish. ROUGE COCO BAUME Hydrating Conditioning Lip Balm boasts an advanced Hydratendre Complex, which hydrates and softens lips, for a healthier and fuller appearance. Its sheer, lustrous texture glides on smoothly, leaving lips beautifully aglow.

ROUGE COCO - HYDRATING CRÈME LIP COLOUR - $32.00

Lips are dressed in the vibrant hues of this fresh spring harmony. In a palette of rich pinks, warm peaches and deep reds, ROUGE COCO Hydrating Crème Lip Colour and ROUGE COCO SHINE Hydrating Sheer Lipshine beautifully complement the daylight-inspired makeup effects of the season.

Superstition - Golden beige
Paradis - Pink coral
Charme - Pink
Destinee - Plum

Natural Finish Pressed Powder - $45.00

Jasmine - Luminous beige

Quadra Eyeshadow - $57.00

Eclosion - Peach, gold, beige, plum

Long Lasting Eyeliner - $29.00

Garnet - Garnet

Soft Touch Eyeshadow - $28.50

Rose de Mai - Pink
Tigerlily - Golden orange

Hydrating Sheer Lipshine - $32.00

Candeur - Pastel pink
Flirt - Soft coral

Glossimer - $28.50

Petillant - Golden beige
Bonbon - Soft pink
Bagatelle Pink

Precision Lip Definer - $29.00

Rose Corail - Pink coral
Bois de Rose - Rosewood

Ultra Wear Lip Colour - $34.00

Rose Topaz - Rosewood

Nail Colour - $25.00

June - Pastel apricot
May - Intense pink
April Garnet

The CHANEL Spring 2012 Collection is available now at all CHANEL counters as well as online at chanel.com.