Beauty411

The Beauty Blog Network: Weekend Beauty Read

It's summer time! That's why EyeshadowCult.com recommends having bright paws to look more fun in the sun!

Come aboard The Makeup Divas and set sail for the Mac Naughty Nauticals review!

A Touch of Blusher checks out L'Oréal's True Match Super-Blendable Powder.

The Muse reviews the latest and greatest from Japan with Aube's new Summer Collection!.

Beauty Anonymous introduces you to this Fall's upcoming new mascaras.

In honor of her first anniversary, Bionic Beauty is holding a month of giveaways. This week enter to win one of 3 SpinLash mascara wands!

The Fragrance Fanatic finds the greatest Summer scent for the home: Sun & Sand.

Beauty Junkie in SF tries out the grab and go method of shopping for a powder foundation and has mixed results with Make Up For Ever. In-office vs. at-home with the TRIA -

The Daily Cookie starts her series on laser hair removal by giving you the pros and cons of each option!

makeup loves me gives you the secrets for re-creating audrina patridge's look from her birthday party!

Splurge or steal with Girl Gloss by checking out the affordable Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lipcrayon that is almost identical to the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil!

Beauty Banter reviews Smashbox's BLUSH RUSH line - 8 universal blush shades created to work on every skin tone!!!!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway! This time it's a basketful of Olay products valued at over $300!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to create an orange, gold and teal eye look with Nars Cosmetics.

Rouge Deluxe shows off her makeup haul from her Tokyo trip!

Beauty and Personal Grooming,tells you how to use leaves as beauty aid Elke shares her current fav summer beauty finds

The July Issue of The Beauty Ideal is out full of summer beauty tips and how to's.

Beauty411 shares her new summer fragrance.  Check it out!

Beauty Blogging Junkie dishes about highlights with Jane at Hiro Haraguchi.

Another pick from The Life of A Ladybug's Bronzers for Brown Girls Series: MAC's Bronzer in Refined Deeper Bronze and Loose Iridescent Powder in Golden Bronze!

Makeup Moxie reviews Cushion Lips by Vincent Longo.

Spoiled Pretty wants you to protect your peepers. Enter today for your chance to win a pair of limited-edition Etnia Barcelona N°00 sunglasses valued at $295. Two runners-up will win a $50 gift certificate to Margot & Camille Optique. What are you waiting for?

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic has swatches of the Fall 2008 Bobbi Brown Mauve Collection!

Total Beauty Weekly Web Tour

Don't forget to enter the Total Beauty Summer Spa Sweepstakes!

Beauty's Spot visits another Anastasia Brow Studio at Nordstroms. Check out the results

Viva woman reviews the different types of concealers and finds out which works best.

Alison of the AdviceSisters Guide to Life, Success & Happiness Blog finds that UnWrinkle Powder by Peter Thomas Roth has true star power: "Get Smart, style."

Come aboard The Makeup Divas and set sail for the Mac Naughty Nauticals review!

A Mom in Red High Heels has found another multi-tasking super starin the world of cosmetics. Find out what it is!

Beauty Tyrant finds comfort in a multi-tasking blush. Can Global Goddess' Chai Cheek Colorreally do the trick?

Fabulous Over Forty reviews another Sonia Kashuk product. See if you should have it in your makeup bag!

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog provides The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of growth factors in wrinkle creams.

Beauty Blogging Junkie test-drives Kate Hudson's and David Babaii's collaboration, David Babaii for WildAid Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner.

Beauty411 shares her new summer fragrance. Check it out!

Beauty Anonymous brings you Paul & Joe Fall 2008 Makeup Collection.

Jeanne of Periodic Style poses a tough question: lip gloss or nail polish?

Another one in The Life of A Ladybug's Bronzers for Brown Girls series: MAC Bronzer in Refined Deeper Bronze and Loose Iridescent Powder in Golden Bronze!

The Jet Set Girls preview this fall's Hottest Nail Color.

How to lightenyour eyebrows by Talking Makeup.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway! This time it's a basketful of Olay products valued at over $300!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings shares her first, but not to be her last, experience with Smashbox Cosmetics

Rock the Red, White and Blue!

Happy Independence Day!  What better way to celebrate than to highlight some of the best Red, White and Blue beauty products. 

Nothing says confidence like wearing red, whether it be lipstick or nail polish:

• Sally Hansen Salon Nail Polish in Ru-be or Not To Be: This is an easy to wear, year 'round shade of nail polish.  The Salon Nail Polish delivers a great quality polish and a good value.  Add some white and blue nail art and you've got a patriotic theme going!
• Julie Hewett Rouge Noir Lipstick:  A classic red lipstick, double-pigmented and long lasting. 
• For a lighter formula lip color, try NARS Lip Stain Gloss in Indian Red.

What's not to like about white? 

• To get a more bright-eyed look, line the inner rim of eyes with Lancome's Le Crayon Khol in Blanc.
• Clinique's new Even Better Skin Tone Corrector helps brighten skin and un-do sun damage, dark patches, age spots and the darkness that accompanies acne scarring.
• White teeth are always in style.  Use the Rembrandt Whitening Touch Up Pen for on the go tooth whitening.

You won't be singin' the blues with these products!

• YSL Mascara Aqua-Resistant in Oceanic Blue.  Perfect mascara for at-the-pool.
• MAC Cool Heat Eye Shadow in Blue Flame.
• MAC Naughty Nauticals Pigment in Bell-Bottom Blue.

These are just a few of my picks for red, white and blue beauty.  Have a happy Independence Day!

Tinted Moisturizers: Summer Beauty Essential

Tinted Moisturizers are an essential part of my summer beauty routine, especially once the heat and humidity start to increase.  Most beauty companies have incorporated tinted moisturizers into their lines.  It makes sense; as the technology improves, a standalone moisturizer becomes moisturizer plus color plus sunscreen. As our lives become busier and we have less time, a multi-tasking product like a tinted moisturizer becomes a beauty staple.  If you need a bit more spot coverage, use a foundation brush to apply a thin layer of foundation or concealer.

One of my favorites is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer; I've used it for years.  The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer has an SPF 20 and is a sheer, easy to apply formula.  I set with powder and it lasts all day.  There is a good selection of shades and also an oil-free version available.   

 LaMer SPF 18 Fluid Tint is a little more pigmented and feels like velvet when you apply it.  As you'd expect from LaMer, the SPF 18 Fluid Tint contains anti-oxidants, light diffusers and seaweed natural humectants to prevent dehydration.  It comes in three shades--light, medium and dark.

Stila has improved on their already excellent tinted moisturizer by doubling the SPF to 30 and making it an oil-free formula. The Stila Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil Free provides a medium coverage and is a great tinted moisturizer if you need a little more covereage or have combination, acne-prone or oily skin.

Finally, one of the newest tinted moisturizers is from Giorgio Armani.  I haven't tried Face Fabric yet, but if it's anything like the Armani liquid foundation I use (Luminous Silk 5), I'll be impressed.  Giorgio Armani Face Fabric contains SPF 12 and ingredients to allow blending and layering of the product for a perfect finish. 

Is tinted moisturizer a product that you incorporate into your beauty routine in the summer?  What's your favorite? 

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is a gel-in-a-pen acne product that makes zapping zits convenient and easy.  This slim spot-treatment pen helps to clear up your complexion with several key ingredients.  Willow Bark, a natural beta hydroxy acid, exfoliates skin without irritation, while soapberry peel helps to cleanse and nourish.  This is important, because one of the reasons for acne breakouts in the first place is bacteria and clogged oil glands in the skin.  A combination of antioxidants and vitamins, including Vitamin C and E, help to reduce redness, control oil, maintain a clear complexion and combat free radicals. 

The Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is perfect for tucking into a purse or beach bag and carrying with you.  Being from Boscia, it's botanically-based, nondrying, non-irritating and preservative-free. I’ve reached for this product several times when my skin has rebelled from testing new skincare products and found it to work quickly and effectively.

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is available at Sephora, Beauty.com and on the Boscia website.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus Eau Te Toilette

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus Eau de Toilette strikes just the right balance between a floral, green tea and fruity fragrance.  Inspired by the Japanese lotus, this new fragrance is a wonderful choice for summer.  From first sniff, it's quickly become my daily fragrance.  What I like most about Green Tea Lotus is that it's light, but it doesn't float away when I wear it.

• Top notes:  Ume Plum, Cherry Blossom, Yuzu and Mandarin
• Middle notes: Aglaia, Blooming Lotus, Green Tea, Osmanthus and Jasmine Tea
• Base notes:  Musks and white birch

When first applying, I definitely get a burst of the floral and, as it dries down, more of the citrusy and green tea notes develop.  If you like the floral/green tea/fruity combination, like I do, definitely give Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Lotus a try. 

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus Eau de Toilette retails at $37.00 and is available at department stores nationwide, including Macy's and Dillards and online at the Elizabeth Arden website.

L'Oreal Skin Genesis

L'Oreal Skin Genesis is an anti-aging line of products designed to create younger skin "layer by layer".  I was given the opportunity to try a couple of products from the line; the Serum Concentrate and Oil-Free Lotion.  L'Oreal has put advanced technology into this anti-aging line, utilizing Pro-Xylane, an ingredient developed to help strengthen the layers of the skin and Hyaluronic Spheres. 

The Skin Genesis Serum Concentrate is a clear, lightweight formulation.  I applied it daily and after about the third day of use, broke out.  My skin is pretty resiliant, so I waited a few days, re-started, and didn't have further problems.  I haven't used the product to see noticeable results, but based on the ingredients, this should help, over time with increasing moisture retention in the skin and plumping the skin.  That, in turn, would help to minimize fine lines and wrinkes.  I wish the Serum Concentrate was not scented.  Overall, if you're just starting an anti-aging regimen, this might be a product to consider before moving on to more expensive products.

The Skin Genesis Oil-Free Lotion is a product I was anxious to try.  I have combination skin and usually switch out my moisturizer for the summer.  The Oil-Free Lotion uses the same technology and anti-aging ingredients as the Serum Concentrate.  However, my issue with this formula is that there is no sunscreen in it!  To me, there is just no excuse for no sunscreen.  (It should be noted, though that there is a Skin Genesis Lotion with SPF 15--it's just not oil free). I also wish this was non-scented.  The lack of sunscreen and the fragrance were reasons that I wouldn't be using the Skin Genesis Oil-Free Lotion on a regular basis.  There are just too many other products out there that can offer anti-aging benefits and technology, a sunscreen and a reasonable price point.

Total Beauty Web Tour

Don't forget to click on over to Total Beauty and enter the Summer Spa Sweepstakes!

Are you ready for a Warm Chill? Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy™ is raving about the latest limited edition collection from MAC Cosmetics. Here she gives us a fabulous makeup tutorial featuring the cool blue hues from MAC's Cool Heat.

Who is the THEVI Woman? Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog introduces you to the new line of cosmetics for the NEW ethnic woman.

Does the T3 Plump Heat-Seeking Liquid Hair Plumper give Makeup Bag hair like Serena Van der Woodsen?

Alison of the Advice Sisters Guide To Life, Success & Happiness Blog visits with Redken's color consultant, David Stanko at the Angelo David Salon in New York, and answers the question: Are In-Salon Treatments Really Worth it?

Viva Woman compares compact, mineral and loose powder foundation and finds out which is better based on coverage, skin type, formulation, convenience and affordability.

The Muse saws open her Urban Decay Potion Primer and finds out how to make the most of it!

Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee finally checks out MAC's Tendertones and thinks that it's a product worth keeping in your makeup bag.

Beauty's Spot is tangled up in shades of orange this summer as Nars Lip Lacquer in Capucine has stolen her heart.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Corioliss Pro Black Flat Iron!

Tink at Casual Lavish provides a step by step Beach Waves hair tutorial. Get your summer groove on with some fun waves and have fun!!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has discovered a new, more grown-up scent that she adores!

Top 10 Celebrity Hair Stylists Hair Tips by Talking Makeup.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life got a chance to interview celebrity makeup artist Fatima Olive, click here to read her fabulous makeup tips.

Come join The Life of a Ladybug's no!no! giveaway! All you have to do is enter your name and e-mail address and you have a chance to win a brand new no!no! hair removal device!

Jeanne at Periodic Style is dealing with a self-tanning mishap...

Summer heat doing a number on your skin? Beauty411 shares how the new June Jacobs Cooling and Soothing Masque can help you beat the heat and improve your skin!

Makeup Junkie shares a new Makeup Obsession and it's not lip gloss!

Beauty Tyrant is virtually poreless now, thanks to her Pore-fect Idealist. Find out how this product makes it to her Holy Grail!

The Beauty of Life is giving away over $100 in Lisa Hoffman products! Click here to enter!

The Beauty Blog Network: Weekend Beauty Read

Plan to spend some time with the gals from the Beauty Blog Network this weekend and check out the best of the best!

Melissa from The Makeup Divas reviews and shares photos of eye shadows and slimshines from the Mac Cool Heat Collection.

 A Touch of Blusher looks at Dior's fall 2008 makeup collection.

Still confused about products that use the words NATURAL, ORGANIC and PURE on their packaging? Cybelesays discovers an organization that's setting a standard with their seal and some big indy brands are joining up.

Beauty Banter uncovers the most important sweatproof beauty products of the summer - a sweaty face is SO 2007!!!

Are you ready for a Warm Chill? Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy™ is also raving about the latest collection from MAC Cosmetics. Here she gives us another wonderful makeup tutorial featuring the cool blue hues from MAC's Cool Heat.

Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The SPF 18 Fluid Tint.

Get your summer beauty fix with The Daily Cookie's coverage of Nordstrom's Beauty Trend Show in 3 parts - Summer in the City, Get the Look, and All About the Tan!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds her new favorite hot weather fragrance, Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Lotus!

The Muse decides to saw her Urban Decay Primer Potion in half and make the most of it!.

Beyond Beauty Basics is having a Burt's Bees Radiance Kit Giveaway in honor of National Pollinator Week June 22-28. Comment and win an assortment of natural personal care products!

Makeup Moxie dishes on her favorite way to practice safe sun in this face sunscreen review.

Beauty Blogging Junkie tells you how to channel Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen here.

The Fragrance Fanatic tells you some great ways to Wear Your Fragrance.

Beautiful Makeup Search picks out some products from the Shu Uemura 25th Boutique Birthday collection.

Come join The Life of a Ladybug's no!no! giveaway! All you have to do is enter your name and e-mail address and you have a chance to win a brand new no!no! hair removal device!

The fabulous ladies of Beauty in Real Life, have the details on the N.Y.C. Color Big Apple Bronze Summer Collection.

Have you tried Yes To Carrots Lip Balm? Face Candy tells you what she thinks of it.

Every day this week, Spoiled Pretty is giving away a chic summer bag, filled with beauty booty to help you beat the heat. This series of giveaways is all that and a bag of products! Enter today!

Summer heat doing a number on your skin? Beauty411 shares how the new June Jacobs Cooling and Soothing Masque can help you beat the heat and improve your skin!

Makeup Junkie shares a new Makeup Obsession!

Pursebuzz.com reviews her favorite tinted moisturizer. Clinique Moisture Tint :) See why I love it so much here.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to create a light purple and blue eye with MAC Cosmetics.

The Beauty of Life is giving away over $100 worth of Lisa Hoffman products! Click here to enter!

M LAB Skincare: The Science is Inside

M LAB Skincare comes together in a perfect blend of pedigree, science, ingredients and aesthetics to create a knock-out skin care line that delivers.  So what does that mean?  It means that "M LAB" is the creation of Milbar Laboratories, a cosmeceutical company that creates pharmaceutical grade products for Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons.  That would be the pedigree part.  The science combines to create a product of clinically active ingredients that target every visual sign of aging.

Each product in the M LAB Skincare line is formulated with a high degree of clinically active ingredients.  That's what I want, as it is an assurance that the product is going to work.  Really work.  Each product insert lists the ingredients, the percent of clinically active ingredients and what effect that has on your skin.  The packaging of the M LAB Skincare products is all black and futuristic looking.  Love that! 

But what you want to know is, what are the M LAB products like and do they work?  I tried the products in the Travel Kit, which is about a 30 day supply.  What I can tell you, is that with daily, consistent use, I did notice positive changes in my skin.  I didn't experience any skin sensitivity to the products. The two best products (and the ones I would purchase from this line) are the anti-aging treatment cream and the anti-aging treatment serum.  The serum is formulated with 74% clinically active ingredients and the anti-aging treatment cream with 68% clinically active ingredients. That's a very high percentage, when the average luxury cosmetics are usually formulated in the 10-20% range. 

M LAB Skincare is available exclusively for purchase at www.mlabonline.com or at Harrods, London.