Friday, December 31, 2010

Thymes Indigenous White Persimmon Aromatic Votive


What a lovely little candle. This one is fruity smelling-lots of pear. The glass is quite pretty. Already saved the Thymes website to my favorites. Perfect gifts!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Give Great Hair

We are in love with the perfect Pureology sets, and the beautiful, well-sized satin gift bags!
In Volumizing and Hydrating, there's something for all the ladies on your list:

Holiday Glamour to Go Hydrate Petites:
Nourish hair during the winter months with top selling Hydrate! Products come in a chic purple satin clutch/cosmetic bag.
- HydrateShampoo (2.0 oz.)
- HydrateHairCondition (2.0 oz.)
- EssentialRepairSplitEndCorrectingTreatment (0.5 oz.)
- Price: $19.00

Holiday Glamour to Go PureVolume Petites:
Plump up holiday stockings with the petite size PureVolume System packaged in a holiday party-ready white satin clutch/cosmetic bag.
- PureVolumeShampoo(2.0 oz.)
- PureVolumeCondition(2.0 oz.)
- PureVolumeThickeningMist(1.0 oz.)
- Price: $19.00

Give a laser to someone you love!

Yes, you can use a laser at home & you don't even have to do air quotes when talking about it, a la Dr. Evil.

Our very brainy young friend, Shannon, used the Tanda to clear up some Senior-year stress before taking her pictures, & we were impressed--& a little jealous. Where was this when we were in high school?!?

Tända – the leader in LED Light Therapy Skin Care – is having AMAZING last-minute deals, sales and rebates. Give the gift of good skin to friends, family or even to yourself! Here is a list of holiday specials:
Special 1: $50.00 Mail-In Manufacturers Rebate on any Tända Prestige Kit!
Purchase a Tända Clear Acne Light Therapy Treatment Kit or a Tända Regenerate Anti-Aging Light Therapy Treatment Kit from any authorized reseller between December 26th, 2010 and January 2nd, 2011 and get $50.00 off by mailing in this rebate form!

Special 2: Stock Up on Your Favorite Tända Topicals at 20% Off!
Purchase any Tända Clear Pre-Treatment Gel or Tända Regenerate Pre-Treatment Gel between December 26th, 2010 and January 2nd, 2011 and receive 20% off! (Limit of 4 of each Gel per person)
Special #3: Share The Secret of Clear Luminous Skin for 50% Off!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Winter Hair Tips

Tips and looks to brighten the holiday seasonfrom Amanda Jenkins, Master Stylist at ARROJO NYC:
For long hair:
· Wear the hair up and classy, such as tying it hair back in a low knot. This is very sexy and sophisticated, as long as the knot is tied low—it should not be high.
· Add styling gel to wet hair and diffuse it, letting the hair fall in loose waves over your shoulders for a more romantic look.
For short hair:
· Add drama by creating a deep side part, keeping in mind to not let you bangs fall in your face.
· Scarf it. Festive scarves worn 70's style is fashionable and adorable.
· Using a curling iron, set hair for a look reminiscent of “Dynasty”.
And since a change in season always means changes for our hair, Amanda has some tips on keeping hair healthy and vibrant all winter long:
· Be sure to deep condition at least once a week to repair hair that can get dried out from the cold weather and indoor heat.
· Brighten up the winter season by taking your color a shade darker or brighter.

Stress-free skin tips

Dr. Kenneth Beer, a cosmetic dermatologist from West Palm Beach and founder of Cosmetic Bootcamp, has a few tips to avoid holiday stresses taking a toll on your skin. If you follow his lead, you will look luminous for the season!
  • Antioxidant-rich fruits, like raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, can help heal and smooth dehydrated skin.
  • Revitalize your skin with Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids! These hydrators help repair damaged cells, making the skin more resilient.
  • Use a mild cleanser, like Scientific’s pH Balancing Cleanser, to avoid irritation during the winter months. Hydrate your skin with Scientific’s Intensive Repair Serum, to leave your skin soft and smooth.
  • Pop in for a Salicylic or Glycolic Peel for a fresh, even complexion
  • Stop by www.scientificskin.com for your holiday gifts. Buy any product and receive a free Brightening Serum to brighten your holidays!

Perfect Hair for the Holidays


MODERN TAKE ON CHIGNON CHIC
The inspiration for this glamorous updo created by celebrity stylist Creighton Bowman of Exclusive Artists Management begins with Grace Kelly elegance. The up-to-the-minute twist: giving the classic chignon a beachy, textured finish.

Instructions from Creighton Bowman:
CREATE:
« First, I prepped hair with René Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo for extra volume.
« Next, I created three sections, lifted and pinned top two sections of hair at top of head and pulled lower section back into a ponytail. The ponytail is secured above the nape of the neck with an elastic band.
« Then I unpinned top sections and lightly back-combed hair, one section at a time, starting with the section at the back of the head.
« After wrapping ends of back section around the ponytail, I sprayed the ponytail with René Furterer new Vegetal Finishing Spray.
« I continued winding ends of back section around the ponytail, blending the two to create a full chignon.
« Next, I unpinned the front section. After lightly back-combing the section, I brushed it back, working ends into a chignon and pinning securely.
FINISH:
« To smooth flyaways, I applied René Furterer new Modeling Paste to palms of hands and ran palms lightly over hair.
« For long-lasting natural hold, I misted hair with René Furterer new Vegetal Finishing Spray.

For the foodie


Georgetown Cupcakes ships overnight!
Send some Chocolate Peppermint or Eggnog cupcakes & make someone's day.


A little something great


Winter is prime time for chapped lips. Everyone needs lip balm!
Indulge your lucky giftees in super lux lip balms without breaking the bank:
EOS presents its fabulous lip spheres in a great Holiday Collection.
Available at Walgreens, Target, etc, or on-line.
For under $10, you can pick one up for your own stocking as well.

For your smile


The holiday season is upon us--get ready for the pictures!
Smile not so bright?
Get help: Luster's 1-Hour Whitening to the rescue!
Check out our review and be ready to dazzle :)
Get the kit at your local CVS, Walgreens, Target, or several other fine stores.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

For the beauty maven-gamer


Let the Hair fun begin!
Become a Wii stylist with Busy Scissors, a hairstyling and simulation video game, created by Redken and Game Publisher, Little Orbit LLC.
Available for Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ in North America and Europe.
Check out a preview on youtube.
Order the game for you and your friends, available from Amazon.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tweezerman Pushy and Nail Cleaner


We all know that Tweezerman is the Rolls of beauty tools. It comes as no surprise then that the pushy and nail cleaner is another essential to add to your arsenal. Dab some lotion onto your nails and push the gentle stainless steel against your cuticles. It doesn't scratch or scrape the nail bed either. The round end is for cleaning under the nail. Ideal for both manis and pedis.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thymes Offerring Good Luck Candle


This candle is so lux. This candle/brand puts the hundreds of lesser brands to shame. The glass is a lovely cream paper overlay with details of white bursts. It matches my living room perfectly. The scent is a spicy pepper musk and it actually releases a strong frangrance. So often candles don't actually release a scent or just barely. It'll burn 60 hours so it's worth the price tag. I'm adding the Thymes.com website to my favorite tabs for gift giving.

Who doesn't love a scarf?

Lindsay Phillips CapeCoral Scarf ($25 at www.lindsay-phillips.com) is super-soft and totally lux.
Available in Blue, Pink, Brown, or Gray; subtle leopard print-- you don't even notice it till you get right up close.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Pureology-Colour Stylist Fortifying Heat Spray


My hair is always really dry during the winter and I usually resort to putting it in a ponytail by the end of the day to get rid of that static-y feeling. This dryness is probably a result of over-using my hair dryer, washing every day, etc...but as most of you fine haired people out there know, hair can start to feel a little greasy after only a day so it's almost necessary! Since I have started using Pureology's Fortifying Heat Spray, however, I have been able to resist putting my hair up for a lot longer--usually the whole day! So far I have loved all Pureology products I have tried and the Heat Spray is one I will definitely keep on my shelf for a long time!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Go!Go!Girl 18" Layered Clip-In Extension


This hair extension (Go!Go!Girl 18" Layered Clip-In Extension) from HairUWear may not have found a happy home on my head, had I not had a very talented friend at hand! I find styling my own hair to be somewhat difficult and typically need help from a friend or stylist in order to create a nice look for special occasions, but even my go-to friend found this extension quite challenging to clip in. My hair is thick, yet fine, and so she ended up having to rat some of my hair to keep the clips from falling out. Once in place, however, I found I really did enjoy the overall look it created! I thought the extension looked very realistic and blended with my real hair very nicely. The look this extension created ALMOST made up for the difficulty of putting it in.

To find more information or to order this product click here.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

For The Beauty Survivalist


Trish McEvoy brings us the Mobile Beauty Emergency Collection:

The portable pink and black leather pouch is a handy phone case with a hidden compartment complete with a makeup palette of touch-up necessities and two tote-able applicator brushes.

Brilliant! You can even have it sent from Bergdorf Goodman and your friends will think you're a swell.

Holiday Nosh

Who doesn't love getting a little snack in the mail, under the tree, or on the festive end-table?
Send some fantastic POPCORN to someone lucky!

Our favorites:

Dale and Thomas-- great samplers, even Kosher! The North Country Cheddar is amazing! I would like to try the White Cheddar and Black Peppercorn. The sweet popcorns are great as well!

Popcorn Indiana has more flavors than you can shake a stick at--
not that you'd want to indulge in stick-shaking when there's popcorn to eat!
Pick some up at Whole Foods and package with a DVD or a Netflix subscription for a great gift!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Deborah Lippmann makes our nails pretty


Make your friends' nails pretty, too, and get a little kickback:

Find gifts for anyone and everyone on your list, spend $100 or more and receive The Princess Bride Set for free! This offer is available exclusively online at www.deborahlippmann.com and is valid from December 6, 2010 – December 8, 2010.

And, receive free shipping on all orders of $35 or more.

Red Carpet 101: Christina Ricci

We love CR's hair--will be copying this look!

RENÉ FURTERER MASTER CLASS: RED CARPET 101
WITH CREIGHTON BOWMAN & JACQUELINE BUSH

Peter Som’s corseted frock with interlocking lace daisies was the inspiration for Creighton Bowman of Exclusive Artists Management for his modern take on a nifty 50s ponytail for actress Christina Ricci’s red carpet moment at the 7th Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. What gives the look its up-to-the-minute edge: heavy, cheek-to-cheek, face-framing bangs.
« To shape Christina’s “fringe,” I used a point-cut haircutting technique on blown-out dry bangs. This gives bangs slightly rounded curves—a quintessential 50s look—while keeping them slightly jagged at the ends.
« Next, to build volume, I applied René Furterer Vegetal Mousse on towel-dried hair, and then did a blow-out with my Babyliss dryer.
« To style bangs, I sprayed a mini Mason Pearson flat brush with René Furterer Finishing Spray, and then used the brush to create a soft bend in the bangs, enhancing the rounded shape. After styling, I gave bangs a final spritz of Finishing Spray.
« Before gathering hair into a ponytail, I did a loose curling iron set, winding large sections around a 1 ½-inch-wide rod. This is just enough to give the ponytail a soft, sensuous curl.
« Next, hair was secured into a high ponytail. I back-combed the ponytail with a Mason Pearson “Junior” Brush and then smoothed over back-combing to create that 50s curl in the ponytail. The finishing touch: René Furterer Glossing Spray for shine.

Tarte Party!


Tarte, one of our favorites, is having a twitter party:
This holiday season we're is hosting our first live Twitter party! Join us along with co-hosts Celebutante Sisters, GalTime.com and The Daily Buzz on December 8th, 9-11pm EST
for a night of beauty tips, tricks and fabulous tarte holiday prizes! We will be tweeting using the hashtag #tarteparty (don't forget to use it with all tweets!). Share with your friends & family-we have an interactive night of beauty fun planned! We hope to see you online!


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Tarte natural matte lip stain in lucky


OK so I love the rubbery-tip applicator. The mint-infused smell and taste as it glides on is heavenly too. The color is a pale frosty pink that seemed a bit much at first but minutes later settled down to a pretty soft pink. It's ideal for long wear like a wedding.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Hanukkah starts tonight

Ready?
No?
LUSH to the rescue!
LUSH brings a festive hatbox is filled with a special assortment of bath bombs:
Reminiscent of the glowing menorah light, Cinders Bath Bomb is a soothing soaker for
seasonal chills. Prepare yourself for intense Dreidel matches with Avobath Bath Bomb, which has a zingy lemongrass scent to keep you spinning all night long. Toss i
n our limited-edition peppermint Magic Bath Bomb for extra
luck racking in those shekels. Finish the holiday off with a So White Bath Bomb, which has an uplifting apple scent to keep everyone’s spirits up even when the candles have burnt out.

Help for Rosacea sufferers

New York, NY (November 30, 2010) – The Eau Thermale Avène banner ad highlighting an exclusive offer for complimentary Avène Anti-Redness Solution Kits is now live on the skin-care section of Rosacea.org, the official Web site of the National Rosacea Society. Each complimentary kit, available while supplies last, includes soothing products formulated to improve the appearance of Rosacea and reactive redness.
IMPORTANT: click on INFO FOR PATIENTS first, then click on skin care section (a.k.a. Skin care & cosmetics).
The Anti-Redness Solutions in the kits include the following: Antirougeurs Anti-Redness Dermo-Cleansing Fluid, formulated to soothe and calm redness-prone skin as it gently cleanses; Redness Relief Soothing Cream SPF 25, a light green cream that neutralizes and helps minimize visible redness as it soothes and protects against sun damage; Diroséal Anti-Redness Skincare Lotion, a green tint nighttime cream formulated with Retinaldehyde to increase the thickness of the epidermis while neutralizing redness. All Anti-Redness Solutions products are formulated with a high percentage of Avène Thermal Spring Water, proven to soothe and soften skin.
About Avène: The heritage of dermo-cosmetic brand Eau Thermale Avène dates back over 260 years to the discovery of the beneficial properties in thermal water.

We have nothing but love for Avene-- check out past reviews from me and Jill and me again.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

For that Personal Touch


One of my favorite web shops, Pink Loves Brown, has great gifts at almost any price point.
I love their personalized stationery-- especially the paper airplane design!
Makes a great gift for a classy friend, a hip aunt, your favorite blogger...

Friday, November 26, 2010

Give some sparkle and send it free!

Anthropologie is offering Complimentary Standard Shipping on orders over $150 on all domestic orders until 10am EST on Thursday, December 23rd. Their Gifts For The Hostess picks make me want to have comp'ny over!

Dogeared Jewelry is offering Free Priority Shipping from Friday through Monday at midnight. Love their recycled glass ornaments!

Green Friday from Soap Hope

From the wonderful Soap Hope, saving you money while saving the world:

We've got some great "Green Friday" deals for you to choose from. Pick your favorite special and share some Hope!
  • Get our Stocking Stuffer Special - normally $20 - for FREE! It's a five-gift ten-piece stocking stuffer collection, free with any order over $30.
  • Or ... get a FREE Acure lotion bottle with any order over $60, plus all Acure products are on sale!
  • Or ... spend $99 or more on your order and we'll include a ten-pack of Hope Pourri - worth $25 - free in your package. Just use coupon code 10HOPE when you check out.
  • Or ... get a $36 facial cream from Pangea Organics for just $2.99 with any purchase of $50 or more.
Do all your holiday shopping at Soap Hope - beat the crowds and Share the Hope!
Every dollar of profit from every sale at Soap Hope is invested into anti-poverty programs for women around the world. Our mission is to teach 1,000 businesses to follow our lead and deploy one billion dollars to end poverty through non-profit microlending programs that help women start and grow businesses in their own communities.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Avoid Black Friday-- Start Cyber Monday early!

It is a quarter after 10 on Thanksgiving night.
My plans are to digest and sleep for many hours, then watch some Rankin-Bass Christmas movies.
Standing in line for a 4 am store opening?
Not unless they were selling Manolos for $5.00.

But, I do feel as though it is my patriotic duty to help bolster the economy...

My solution:
1. Shop online.
2. Wait a week, then go to small stores-- helping to save bricks & mortar. For information on shopping locally in Michigan, go here. For you folks not lucky enough to live in the mitten, check on line--counter-intuitive, I know, but...

A few to get you started:
Burke's Decor (use code GIFTOUT for 15% off until Tuesday morning)
Etsy.com (of course)
Dale & Thomas Popcorn (Use code FRIDAY10 and receive 25% off these items)


If you wait until Monday (i.e., something to do at work):

Clarisonic --All "Skincare Pairs" that are purchased this Cyber Monday will be 20% off. Products such as the Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Opal Sonic Infusion, brush heads and cleansers bought in pairs will be included in this special. There is free shipping on all orders as well as a free gift with purchase: a Limited Edition Pink Brush Head (Normal), 6 oz. Gentle Hydro Cleanser and travel bag ($65 value).

Glowology-- On Monday, November 29, buy one product online and get a 2nd one free! In order to receive this offer, use the discount code: nov29. This code is not valid with any other offer.

Shobha--For Cyber Monday only, buy 1 at-home hair removal or after care product online and get a 2nd free (same product). Simply choose “buy one, get one free” from the drop down menu before putting the product in the shopping bag.
Also, enjoy free shipping on all domestic orders! Enter coupon code “FSH2010” during checkout when choosing shipping.
CleanWell-- All CleanWell products purchased on Cyber Monday will be an additional 30% off. Use the discount code CM30 at checkout.
Lovely Skin-- Lovely Skin will be offering 25% off and triple rewards points on all purchases placed on Cyber Monday. There will also be a free gift with purchase on all orders over $150.
Tweezerman-- Enjoy free shipping on all orders over $45 and a free gift with any order over $75.

And don't forget to keep checking back here for more ideas!




Sephora takes on Farmville.

Sephora is encouraging you to be more naughty than nice this holiday with Beauty Envy, a fun, new interactive Facebook App that allows you to keep, swap and even steal the most spectacular virtual beauty gifts of the season.

And as a reward, Sephora is offering players a free gift with any online purchase and a chance to win the real version of their virtual gift – one winner a day for 30 days.
Download the free App beginning November 23, 2010 directly from Sephora’s Facebook page and immediately start receiving virtual gifts! First, play to find out what your virtual beauty gift is from one of more than 200 coveted items randomly selected by Sephora. The gift can be kept or swapped the following day when you have a chance to virtually exchange your gift again. Sephora’s gift to all who play is a promo code for a free, limited edition tokidoki beauty tote bag with any online Sephora purchase, while supplies last.
Next, share the App with your friends via Facebook. The Beauty Envy App tracks the gifts your friends have received and allows you to view them by clicking on “My Beauty Envy Friend.” From there, you can decide if you want to keep what you have, swap it for a new random selection from Sephora, or if you’ve got beauty envy, steal something you like even better from one of your friends.

Take your fb'ing self on over to Sephora's fb now!

For everyone! Gifts that give double.


Loving Lush's Charity Pots!
Made with Cocoa Butter (Fair Trade & Organic), these little pots of super-moisturizing cream are awesome!
Neutral scent, utilitarian black pot--perfect for everyone with skin.
Added bonus: every cent you pay (except taxes), goes to charity!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide~A lil' sumpthin' for every lovely lady in your life!!

Are you stumped on what to get one of the fabulous females on your holiday shopping list??

Here are a few of my absolutely favorite, great smelling things!  Oprah: eat your heart out!


 Pink Sugar by Aquolina.
This perfume is a marriage between gentle, warmth and sweetness and bold spiciness. My biggest pet peeve is a personal scent that is overwhelming (or painful) and this delicate and special product is most definitely not going to offend your coworkers at the coffee machine or your lady friends at brunch.

 Pink Sugar is the perfect gift for the nice and sweet candy-type girl, but I would also recommend it for the bold, confident go getter chicks too!

 Massage Bars by Lush
I am a huge fan of all things Lush and their Massage Bars are a personal addiction of mine. This product is fantastic as a massage tool, but I also use a Lush Massage Bar in the winter to give my dry, thirsty skin a deep quench or on my aching feet after a long day in killer heels!! My fave is Strawberry Feels Forever. In true Lush fashion, this particular flavor is made with real strawberry and hibiscus flowers, so a few rubs of this bar will leave your skin left feeling deeply moisturized and smelling good enough to eat!!

These bars come in endless blends and scents, making this a great little treat for any gal in your life!

My all time favorite perfume is G by Harajuku Lovers. Another soft, sweet smell, but like nothing else I've ever worn! There are 5 scents in this line-all amazing, but this is the one that I cannot get enough of! I've actually shed tears over realizing the bottle has gone dry...which reminds me of the funnest part!! Each Harajuku Lovers scent comes in an over-the-top adorable bottle, resembling one of Gwen Stefani's entourage members (Angel, Music, Love, & Baby), or Gwen herself!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Gift Guide 20101- For the mom

















She washes the dishes, changes diapers, cleans furiously resulting in hundreds of hand washes a day. Her hands need help!- especially as it gets colder. This is THE hand cream *. It's heavy and thick with a sea kelpy scent. Tell her to keep it on her nightstand. She'll thank you within the week.

* Featured to rave reviews on this blog before.

Gift Guide 20101- For just about anyone



















If you haven't seen the trendy folk wearing these, you must live under a rock. Toms shoes are not only cool because the hipsters are wearing them, they are cool because for every pair you purchase, a child in a developing country gets fitted with a pair. I am LOVING these herringbone pair. There are tons of styles to choose from and they are like slippers. Ask anyone.

2010 Gift Guide - For the fashionista
























Is your bestie ever the trendsetter? Is Vogue her bible? Then why not get her a gift certificate to the newly open stateside British import ASOS? There are tons of high end brands but don't discount the house brand. She'll love you for it.

2010 Gift Guide - For the hostess




















She's the one among your friends and/or family that loves to entertain. She has a fluffy 50s apron and a huge smile on her face when she greets you at the door. Why not get something she can incorporate into one of the many parties she loves to throw? Old school red and white paper straws. Perfect for the holidays. Just imagine them in eggnog.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Blow Mane Tame Soft Pomade

From RENEE:

I tend to be a little hesitant about messing with pomades when my hair is longer. I find them fun and useful with my shorter styles but easily messy and greasy with my longer locks. This however, is a nice lightweight pomade that I found easier to control and was more likely to use to finish of my blown out style. I have fine hair so I have to be careful to not apply to much and I still found I needed to use another anti-frizz serum to get the final smooth look I was hoping for. But definitely my favorite pomade thus far.

Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Spray (by Paul Mitchell)

From RENEE:

I have fine, curly hair so was curious to see what this lightweight style booster could do. While the lemon sage aroma is zesty and refreshing, I honestly didn't find much improvement after using the product. In fact, I think it may have dried out my hair a bit too much so I stopped using it. So I would not personally recommend this product for those looking for assistance with their thinner locks.

Surya Entensive Treatment Restorative Mask

From RENEE:

Oh my gosh, this stuff is amazing. I have fine, curly hair and so it is often quite dry and frizzy and this sumptuous creamy parabens-free conditioner leaves it ridiculously soft and supple. Seriously, after I use it I find myself constantly stroking my own hair. It amplifies the shine and color in my hair and is well worth the 15 minutes needed for deep treatment. I highly recommend this product and plan to keep myself well stocked.

Boom Boom Brow Bar- Brow Boostiers Brow Powders

From RENEE:

I have very fair eyebrows and this luscious little creamy brow tint does a wonderful job at highlighting my brows. The stylish little application brush helps me perfectly define my brow line and now my blue eyes really pop. I have the "Dolly" shade and plan on keeping myself stocked with plenty of Boom Boom for my eye wear arsenal.

Tarte Emphas EYES Smoldering Clay Liner


From RENEE:

I really like this eye liner. It has a nice, even creamy application and the brush tip helps to create the smooth or smoky look you are going for. The dark bronze color I had made my blue eyes really pop. Tarte is an eco-friendly company, which I love, and this I believe is clay extracted from the Amazon river, so you have that extra bit of exotic-ness going for you. I plan on purchasing the liner in the other available shades.

Talika Eyebrow Extender

From RENEE:

So this was a bit of a disappointment. I have very fair eyebrows and was really excited to use this product but with application, and even adding some brow tinting, I still didn't see much difference. It's a rather wet application but didn't bother my sensitive skin. I just didn't really see any results which was sad.

Tarte Lock and Roll Creaseless Cream Shadow and Loose Powder

From RENEE:

This is a fun little combo stick of eye cream shadow and loose powder. I had the forest green and bronze sticks, appropriate for fall. The colors were a lovely blend but the application of the powder and eye cream was a little messy. The roller that dispenses the powder is a little rough on the skin of the eye lid and takes a little coaxing to get out in an even amount of powder and the cream shadow can be a bit gloppy in application. You have to blend and use a few tools to get the right look. I ended up reaching for other liners to blend with the loose powder as it was an easier application process. But for a fun pop of shimmery color, it could be worth the extra time spent.

Yoghurt Moisturising Face Cream by Korres

From RENEE:

This is a nice rich moisturising face cream. I have dry, sensitive skin and a small amount of this goes a long way. Leaves skin soft, with no greasy residue. I was sad when my sample ran out. I could see a difference of smoothness and brightness in my complexion after a week or so of daily use. It contains real edible yogurt (though I didn't sample ;o) but I prefer natural ingredients so was very happy with the results. Will definitely buy more.

After Sun Soothing Lotion

From RENEE:

OK, so I've only been on the board a few times, but I'm a big sun and water gal and this Aloe enriched lotion is in fact very soothing after a day at the beach. I tried using it as just my daily lotion, but it didn't quite feel like enough moisture. It does have a nice cocoa butter beachy scent to give you that bronzed blissed-out feel and I would say a good productg to have in the beach bag for after the shower to wash off the sand and salt.

Lovely Body Lotion by Glowology

lovely body lotion glowology Pictures, Images and PhotosFrom RENEE:


OK, first off, this lotion smells phenomenally yummy. That alone is enough for me to want to purchase a few gallons. It's incredibly creamy and smooth without being greasy and does in fact leave a lovely, healthy glow and sensual softness to my autumn dried skin. I will absolutely purchase it for myself and likely as gifts for girlfriends for Christmas.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Small and wonderful

Some of the best things come in small packages--and not all of those packages are a certain blue;)

Here are some small gifts, perfect for stockings, but also worthy gifts by themselves:

Lush knows how to make bath products into art!
Their Matryoshka is a Russian nesting doll made of soap and bath bombs.
fizzy.It is seriously cute and cool.
If you can bring yourself to use it, the soap lathers well and the bath bombs are great and
Even if you can't bear to suds up with the Matryoshka, it will make your bathroom
smell great.
It smells like winter when I was five. There's a hint of cinnamon, apple, crisp... It makes me think of putting up garlands of cranberries and popcorn.

Also from Lush, solid Gorilla perfumes are wonderful!
The solid sticks are sleek, travel-friendly, and can work for the boys & girls on your list.
Even Vegan-friendly.
My favorites are Tuca Tuca and The Smell of Freedom.
Added bonus: fun colors!


Tweezerman's Brow Beauty Bubble is the new go-to gift for the well-groomed.
These tweezers are perfect-- Tweezerman, need I say more?
Plus the coolest magnifying mirror with startling clear reflection-- kind of HD for your face.
Festive, thoughtful, useful!


Sunday, November 14, 2010

For your Host/Hostess


Friend or family member putting you up for the holidays?

Bring (or send ahead) an assortment of Bon Ami cleaning products:

Clean the bathroom after you use it, do a load of dishes... Make yourself useful and leave some loveliness!

Gifting made easy

Between yesterday and today, the temperature in MI has DROPPED. The stores are getting crowded. THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!

Just for you, dear readers, the BrainyBeautys will post daily gift ideas and advice to help you avoid the panic gifting-- I once gave a set of fancy glasses to someone with toddlers, because the glasses were the first thing I saw. That one did NOT go over well ;)

So, my first and best bit of advice is to Know Your Audience!

The person
with the menagerie of pets probably won't be able to keep a china egg safe, the hard-core vegan doesn't want the summer sausage gift basket...

Now, the recommendations for the day:

Tarte, a perennial favorite, is offering great gift sets, some exclusive to Sephora.
Our favorites:
The Jewelry Box (left)--Amazing kit, dazzling case, even a detachable
necklace. Wonderful colors, so many looks! Perfect for a glam friend, or a daughter/niece-type who deserves quality and beauty.


Grab Bag (right)-- Perfect for the traveler who doesn't want that jet-lagged look! Even comes in a reusable clear bag!

The Royal Collection-- It's all about the eyes, but has a lip gloss and primer for a
polished finish. Beautiful packaging, sure to make anyone feel like a million bucks!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap Island Nectar


















Temps are dropping and so are the moisture levels in my skin. This moisturizing hand soap is perfect for Fall and Winter. So great that it's anti-bacterial too-now that it's cold and flu season. The smell is coconut, honey and musk. The perfect combo.