Archive for July, 2009

Christina Applegate Loves It’s A 10.  

Says Christina: “I just discovered it’s a 10, a leave-in conditioner. When I’m working, I have people blow-drying and curling my hair, and it’s a lot of heat. This makes my hair really strong and shiny.”

 It’s A 10 hair products is quickly becoming one of our best-selling lines!  The It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner is the signature product in the line.  It’s a 10 is said to do 10 things Instantly.

Repairs dry damaged hair
Adds shine
Smoothes & controls frizz
Seals & protects hair color
Flat iron spray & thermal protector
Detangles
Stops hair breakage
Creates Silkiness
Enhances natural body
Prevents split ends

It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: 

4 oz: $14.99

10 oz: $37.99

It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask 8 oz: $25.49

It’s A 10 Miracle Moisture Shampoo 10 oz: $18.49

New! It’s A 10 Miracle Shine Spray 4 oz: $16.99

Let us know your thoughts!

Products so natural, you’ll want to eat them!

A recent article by Cosmetic Design announced that the latest trend in the beauty industry is the use of food ingredients in beauty products.  Many companies are going as far as products that are so natural they are even edible!  Regardless of how edible a product is, the use of natural foods we eat in beauty products is not necessarily a bad idea.  Dr. Debra Luftman, a well-known Dermatologist told Better Nutrition, “What’s good for your heart and weight is good for your skin and brain.” 

Almonds

Almonds are a high source of Vitamin E, which is a natural sunscreen.  Dr. Jeffrey Dover, a professor of dermatology at Yale told Women’s Heath, “Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps to prevent skin cells from UV light and other environmental factors that generate cell-damaging free radicals.”  Studies have shown that people who consumer certain amounts of Vitamin E don’t sunburn as easily as those who do not.  Try Queen Helene’s Almond Massage Cream. 

Carrots

Carrots are one of the best sources for beta-carotene, which is a natural anti-oxidant and source of vitamin A.  Dr. Howard Murad told Better Nutrition that carrots can, “help present the overproduction of cells in the skin’s outer layer,” even the development of skin cancer cells. For a quick midday skin pick-me-up, try Burt’s Bees Carrot Seed Complexion Mist.

Cocoa Butter

See, chocolate is good for you!  In fact, the antioxidants in cocoa butter can help reduce skin roughness and prevent sun damage.  Cocoa butter also contains high moisturizing properties that help prevent and hide stretch marks, and skin irritation.  Try Triple Lanolin’s Cocoa Butter Creme. 

Grapes

The Romans had it right.  They used to crush up grapes and use the mush for various topical skin cream.  Grapes (particularly the grape seed oil) are a great source of antioxidants.  Vinotherapy, spa treatments that use grape extracts and grape seed oil is a trend that started in Paris, and has started expanding to many high end spas throughout the United States.  For some at home Vinotherapy, try Vineyard Grapes Moisturizer.

Milk

Cleopatra used to bathe in milk.  If it was good enough for the Queen, it’s good enough for us!  Milk has very strong concentrations of vitamins A and D, which are natural skin moisturizers.  Health Magazine also reports that the fat in milk is also good for reducing swelling.  Try Almay Milk Plus Renewing Night Cream.

Makeup is not only a form of self-expression, it’s also a form of art (why do you think they’re called makeup artists!)  If you’re having trouble choosing shades, all you have to do is remember the important lessons you learned from your second grade art teacher – use the color wheel!  It can literally solve any makeup problem!  

Choosing eye makeup colors 

In art class, you learn that if you want a color to stand out, you place it directly next to its compliment.  Complimentary colors are directly across from one another on the color wheel like red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple.   

The same rule applies in makeup.  If you want to make the color of your eyes stand out, you should choose eye makeup colors that are complimentary to your eye color.  If your eyes are blue, choose shadows and liners that are in the orange family (we’re not talking bright orange!… we mean golds and bronzes, like Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow in Gold or Palladio Eye Liner Pencil in Gold Bronze.)  If you have green eyes, try shadows that are in the red family, like light pinks and purples.  We like Revlon’s Matte Eyeshadow in Pink Innocence and Styli-Style Flat Eye Pencil in Purple. For brown eyes, try light blue shades like Stript Mineral Eyeshadow in Venus or  Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Deviant. 

For applying concealer

The color wheel can also be helpful when trying to make things on your face less noticeable.  In painting, if you want to neutralize a color, you add more of its compliment to it to tone it down.  The same thing applies for makeup.  For example, if you’re desperately trying to cover up that red zit on your chin, try a green concealer.  We know, we know, green concealer?  Trust us!  Because green is the compliment of red, it will neutralize the redness of your pimple and make it appear less noticeable.  Try Physicians Formula Gentle Concelaer Stick in Green or Dermablend Redness Concealer. 

This is also a helpful when hidng undereye circles.  If the circles underneath your eyes tend to be bluish in tint, try a concealer that has a more orangey hue like Revlon’s ColorStay Undereye Concealer in Deep.  If your undereyes are more purplish in color, try a concealer with more of a yellow tint to it.  We like B Vain’s Concealer in Yellow This will neutralize the color of the circles and make them less dramatic.

After all this talk of color, we don’t know if we want to go do our makeup, or go find that old box of Crayolas!

Q:  I have very fine, straight hair and I’ve tried everything to give it volume.  What do you recommend?

A:  For those of you with fine hair, one of the most important things you can do is to use special daily volumizing shampoo and conditioner.  We recommend Alterna Caviar Volume Shampoo and Alterna Caviar Volume Conditioner.  Many products can weigh hair down, so try not to overload your hair with tons of different volumizing products.  Instead, post shower, you should spritz on a light, weightless volume spray onto damp hair, like Rusk Thick Amplifier.  It contains ingredients that help strengthen your strands and boost volume.

Got a beauty question? Want to know which products are right for you? Leave a comment here!  We’ll try our best to answer every single question sent our way!

Robert Piguet fragrances are some of the most coveted perfumes in the world.  The late designer has been influencing the world of fashion and beauty since he first opened his prestigious fashion salon back in 1933 on the famous Champs Elysee in Paris.  Piguet, known in the fashion industry as, “the most Parisian of fashion designers” is responsible for training many of the great talents of our time. (His students included Christian Dior, Hubert de Givency, and James Galanox.)  While Piguet’s fashion accomplishments are certainly widely acclaimed in the fashion world,  his collection of fragrances that have really withstood the changing times. 

Robert Piguet fragrances are said to “have a particular feel very characteristic of his trademarks: strict adherence to good taste, true luxury, a horror of the commonplace and an innate sense of seduction. [robertpiguetparfums.com].  In the past few years, his scents have be recreated to reflect modern times, while still keeping intact the notes of the originals.  Each of the five fragrances reflects a distinct mood and personality.  Which one is you?

Bandit

“Daring, exotic, and sultry”

For his very first scent, Piguet created Bandit, a fragrance for women that evoked mischievousness that no other scent had ever done.  It is called the “fragrance of provocateurs,” for women who aren’t afraid to take risks, to be exotic, and to keep a certain mystery within them.

Cravache

“Fresh, bold, and stylish”

Cravache is the sole Piguet men’s fragrance.  It contains notes of citrus like mandarin and lemon.  Cravache means “riding crop,” the small leather whip that is used by horseback riders and means to evoke the sense of traditional equestrian outings (minus the smell of horses).

Visa

“Sexy, modern, unique”

Visa was designed for the woman on the go, and is probably the most exotic of all his fragrances.  It is referred to as “its wearer’s passport to an exotic encounter,” and the “fragrance for those who expect the exceptional.”  It is a really unique blend of spices, flowers, and fruits from all over the world.

Baghori

“Romantic, feminine, and young at heart”

As his final fragrance before Piguet died, Baghori was created for the more reserved woman, though it still contains a hint of exoticness like the others.  It is simply more of a “balance of innocence and voluptuousness.”  This soft floral fragrance

Fracas

“Provocative, yet pure”

By far the most popular and recognizable fragrances of the entire Piguet collection is Fracas.  It is referred to as “the most coveted of fragrances” and the “signature fragrance for those who want to make an unforgettable impression.”  

Fracas has graced the pages of countless beauty magazines for being a favorite major celebrities (Madonna, Uma Thurman, and Martha Stewart have all admitted to loving the fragrance).  It is also a favorite for some major couture fashion designers like Marc Jacobs and Stefano Gabbana (of Dolce & Gabbana).  It is definitely a fragrance for women who want to be remembered. 

Fracas‘ major note is the Tuberose flower, which is considered the “caviar of perfumery” but it’s so expensive!  It is an extremely unique scent and has really become representative of Tuberose, that many people have come to associate the scent of Tuberose with Fracas, instead of with the flower.  [Allure]

Do you dream of fuller lips?  

Many of us do!   But lip injections like Restylane can be expensive and painful!   Physicians Formula has created the solution to needle-free plump list.  You can actually see dramatic results within 60 seconds of applying.  

The new lipstick is available in five natural shades:

Pink Nude          Raspberry            Mauveberry           Sunkissed         Cinnamon

Our best-selling makeup brand keeps wowing us with all their new and innovative products every month!  We already told you about their Refillable Buffing Brush, now we want to introduce you to three more great new products.

Hydrating Mineral Veil Kit

This new kit contains the brand new Hydrating Mineral Veil, the first ever mineral veil that helps to absorb excess oil while at the same time brightening, cooling, and hydrating your skin.    The translucent powder was created with a water based formula, so it won’t clog your pores or look cakey over makeup.   The kit also comes with the new Hydrate and Brighten Brush, which is the perfect brush to apply mineral veil with.  A $49 value for only $29!

Rare Minerals Heal and Conceal 5 Piece Set

This kit comes in two shades, one for light skin tones, and the other for medium skin tones designed to match your skin tone.  

Heal with RareMinerals Blemish Therapy Acne Treatment

RareMinerals Blemish Therapy won CEW Award in 2008 for best acne treatment.  It’s a one of the kind powder acne treatment that has been proven to get rid of pimples and blemishes.   In fact, 82% of women who tried it said they felt it effectively reduced their blemishes.  It also helps to prevent breakouts and reduce blackheads and facial redness.  Kit conveniently comes with the Heal and Conceal Brush, which was designed specifically for so it wouldn’t be contaminated with other makeup.  

Conceal with BareMinerals Summer Bisque SPF 20 Multi-Tasking Concealer

This multi purpose powder concealer is the perfect coverup for any unwanted skin irritations including blemishses, scars, and undereye circles.  It can also be used as a natural eyeshadow base, or applied to your lashes as a mascara primer.   The kit comes with the mini maximum coverage concealer brush for easy concealer application.   Light kit comes with Bisque Concealer in Cool Beige, Medium Kit comes with Bisque Concealer in Golden Cream.

In addition to these two great products and their respective brushes, the kit comes with a cute travel case, so you can heal and conceal from anywhere!

Face Fashion Kit in Natural Muse

Each season, Bare Escentuals comes out with their own version of today’s makeup trends, which they appropriately call, “The Look of Now.”  This summer, the look is all natural, with a hint of drama intertwined.  This five piece kit comes with everything you need!

The kit comes with two small eyecolors, Nude Chiffon (a shimmering champagne) and Smoked Clay (a mossy, velvety gray).  In addition, it comes with the navy blue Marina powder eyeliner.  Natural Muse also includes BareMinerals award winning blush in the soft, peachy Poppy.  Lastly, the kit includes a mini BareMinerals 100% Natural lipgloss in the pinkish plum color, Praline. 

To get the look, start with a translucent sweep of the Nude Chiffon eyeshadow on the base of each eyelid, up to the the brow bone.  Next, blend the Smoked Clay into each eye crease.  Then, use the Marina liner to line both the top and bottom lashes.  (Can be applied wet for a more dramatic look, or dry, for a soft, subtle look.)  Sweep the Poppy blush onto the apples of your cheeks, and finish off with a dab of Praline lipgloss.  Quick, simple, and fashion forward all in one kit!  The entire collection is a $53 value for only $34.