I love lip exfoliating products, and in the Summer when the lips are exposed to the heat, sun and wind, it is almost a must for me. I am such a fan of Tarte's fRxtion with it's duo sided tube and wonderful taste, so I was thrilled to have discovered this one from MAC. This is from the MAC Summer Future Earth Collection, and it is their Prep + Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher.

On one side, there is a natural exfoliator that is made up from botanically derived ingredients, while the other side of the stick is a superb lip conditioner, with the yummy MAC Vanilla flavor, that helps to moisturize, nourish and soothe lips.

As with anything else, it is very important to wear a sunscreen on your lips when spending a lot of time outdoors, especially when using an exfoliating product. I wish that the lip conditioner side contained one, but it does not, so be sure to use one - okay?

Prep + Prime is $14.50 at MAC. 

I can't believe that is time for Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives already. It seems like just yesterday that I gushed about what I wanted from the exclusive sale last Summer. Anyway, it is here again and start saving or shopping now. Pre-orders for these beauties are being accepted now.

Really - July 18th through August 3rd, shoppers nationwide will rise with the sun and rush to their nearest Nordstrom.  What is the best way to guarantee a successful shopping mission and get the beauties you desire?  The answer, like I said, is to pre-order.

There are more than five pages with great exclusive products, specials sizes and sets available. There is so much to love, but I really have my eye on a few select items.

First the MAC Colour Forms collection. I am not exactly sure which pieces that I will scoop up yet, but I have my eye on more than a few things from the annual addition exclusive to Nordstrom: 

Plus I am sure that I will need this Cocoa Mauve Collection from Bobbi Brown:

And I am longing for this beautiful Lancôme palette, the Color Design Beauty Icon Warm Eye & Cheek Palette:

When I get more time I will be looking a bit closer at more of the exclusives, and I will let you know even more of my selections. What are you longing for?
 

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

Having to a wear a dress and having super white legs that have not lived up to a normal faux-tan routine do not qual pretty. Or anything remotely pretty. So when I had to get dressed up this week, I knew I needed to find something that would work on my legs - pronto.

I have used some other cream formulas in the past and really like LORAC TANtalizer and Benefit's Jiffy Tube, but as I love spray on products, I figured I would give MAC's Skinsheen Leg Spray.

Well, the spray on part was different than what I expected. It is an aerosol, yes, but nothing that can be used as a simple spray on application. The gel-like liquid sprays out and onto legs, but needs to be blended over skin. I used my hands to spread it out evenly, and it really was not hard at all.

The look is slightly tinted and nice and glowy. It appears almost glossy right away, but it does dry down to a nice sheen. Skinsheen seemed to be completely dry in under ten minutes, but I gave it a bit more than that to make sure nothing rubbed off on my dress. And it didn't. As Skinsheen uses special polymers (with silicone) to adhere better to skin, it is important to not moisturize before using the product. Leaving legs au natural will help the product glide onto skin and adhere to it better.

I love Skinsheen as a Leg Spray and it is very worth the extra effort of rubbing it neatly over legs and waiting for it to dry. Once the product is dry, it lasts a very long time and really needs a good washing with warm water and soap to be removed. 

Remember that the end result is a sheen, not a full on fake-bake bronzer. Medium-Dark left me with a slight tint to my starch white legs, like I said, but a beautiful glow. I just tested Deep Dark and I think that will be the way to go for my legs to look more bronzed. So choose your colors wisely. If you want just a nice sheen and glowy effect, the lighter shade will probably work just fine, but if you are looking for more of a tinted bronzy color, try Dark or Deep Dark. Check out Skinsheen Leg Spray ($22.50) at MAC counters to find your perfect shade.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

To save 15% and get FREE SHIPPING over on maccosmetics.com today June 16, 2008, enter the following code at checkout: MACFF8

In case you have missed some of MAC's latest launches, here are some links to the latest MAC has to offer:

Cool Heat.

MAC Tendertones Lip Balm SPF 12.

MAC is Back with Beautiful Collections Galore...

New from MAC - Dazzleglass.

MAC is BACK! Naughty Nauticals Collection.

Definitely let me know what you saved on.    

My favorite MAC Cosmetics is having a friends and family event! Whoo Hoo!

To save 15% off your entire purchase, you can use the coupon below (you must print it out) to save 15% at your MAC Store. Shop now through the end of the day on June 16th.

Sadly, this cannot be used in department stores, but the bit of an extra trip to a MAC store will be worth it for the savings. To locate a MAC Store, check out their handy store finder.

Online shoppers can also receive 15% off their entire order on Monday June 16th only. I will send out the online offer code to you once I receive it on Monday morning. 

Happy shopping! 

Cool Heat. Gosh, do we need some right now! Thanks to MAC Cosmetics we can look both hot and cool with their gorgeous new collection out today.

Summers' chillest look - yes, it is hot. So hot it is cool.  The Cool Heat collection boasts 5 slimshine lipsticks, 7 eye shadows, and two skin-cooling fragrances. 

SLIMSHINE - $14.50
Tropic Glow -  Blue pink with silver pearl (frost)
By Degrees -  Neutral brown pink (frost)
Gentle Summer -  Light clean yellow pink with white pearl (frost)
High 90’s - Clean pink orange (frost)
Swelter -  Sheer clean red (frost)

EYE SHADOW - $14.00
Solar White -  Frosty muted white gold (frost)
Warming Trend - Frosty light taupe (veluxe pearl)
Warm Chill - Frosty seafoam green with gold pearl (frost)
Gulf Stream - Frosty mid-tone blue green with green pearl (frost)
Cool Heat - Frosty teal with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Climate Blue -  Mid-tone violet blue with pink pearl (velvet)
Blue Flame -  Dirty metallic navy blue (veluxe pearl)

CREATIONS - $22.50
Hue: Tuquatic
Keynotes: Lotus Leaves, Corsican Cedrat, Anemone, Orris and Blue Cedar
Hue: Turquatic Heat 
Keynotes: Cedrat saturated with the clear effervescence of Mineral Water, Lotus Flower, Opulent Orris, Jasmine and Tiare Soul.

Pick up these beauties at your favorite MAC counter or online at maccosmetics.com.
 

Life should always be this sweet...

With the most sweet Strawberry-Kiwi flavor and the much needed SPF, these Tendertones Lip Balm from MAC will have your lips super soft, super sweet, and protected this Summer.

In a range of 10 beautiful Summery shades, there is at least one or two of these that should be on your lips.

Tread Gently Soft lime green with yellow pearl
E -Z Baby Sheer milky pink
Honey Bare Rosy blue pink with white and gold pearl
Hot n’ Saucy Soft cherry red
Sweet & Nice Sheer red grape with red pearl
Take A Hint Sheer peach with white pearl
Hush, Hush Sheer gold with yellow gold pearl
Sweet Tooth Sheer coral with white pearl
Pucker Sheer berry with red pearl
Deep Sigh Sheer grape brown with red pearl

Surprisingly, especially when just looking at it in the pot, Tread Gently is my favorite shade. It looks pretty on it's own, but so gorgeous over a bright pink lippie.  

Check these out and let me know which ones you scoop up. They are just $14.50 at MAC Cosmetics, of course.