Beauty411

New MAC Colour Ready Collection

The MAC Colour Ready Collection offers the best of both worlds: new colors of eyeshadow and lipstick, as well as the skin prep products you need to create a flawless face.  MAC adds to it's Prep + Prime line with the release of three new products; blurring the line between science and beauty.  Read on to find out what my new Holy Grail product is!

The MAC Colour Ready Collection includes:

 

EYESHADOW
Bitter - Vivid bright golden green flecked with shimmer
White Frost - Vivid bright white with icy shimmer
Suggested Retail Price: $14.50 US/$17 CDN

LIPSTICK
Show Orchid - Vivid hot pink
Impassioned - Amped up fuschsia
Suggested Retail Price:  $14.00 US/$16.50 CDN

BEAUTY BYLINES Interview: Meet Heather Park of MAC Cosmetics!

Heather Park lives life like she means it.  By day, she's a public relations pro for MAC Cosmetics.  She's a social media darling, regularly posting on Twitter and interacting with followers from every walk of life.  At night she's a powerhouse singer with killer pipes.  Beauty. Fashion. Music. Media.  Where these worlds intersect is where you'll find Heather Park.  Come meet her!

Beauty411: You work for MAC; a makeup line every beauty addict is familiar with.  Can you share a little about what you do at MAC?

Heather:  I work in the PR department for M·A·C, with a focus on regional media an New Media.  Basically my job is to secure press for M·A·C and our M·A·C PRO Team in those media outlets: local newspapers, magazines and television stations, as well as blogs, websites and other alternative media.  Oddly enough, the two areas couldn’t be more polar opposites of each other!

Beauty411:  I was so lucky to meet you in person in September at Fashion Week.  What is your primary involvement with Fashion Week?  When do you start planning? 

Heather:  M·A·C is the official cosmetics sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Each season, M·A·C does the makeup at nearly 75 shows.  My role is to escort press and media backstage so they can get interviews with the key makeup artist, the hair stylist and the nail team so they can write their beauty trend stories for the upcoming season.

Beauty411:  If we peeked into your makeup bag, what products would we find?

Total Beauty Weekly Web Tour

If you're looking for the best beauty news, read on for this week's edition of the Total Beauty Weekly Web Tour...see you back here on Monday!

Viva Woman tells you 10 things to avoid when cleansing your face.

Beauty Secrets Revealed tells you about Morning Banana Diet- Japanese Way Of Losing Weight.

The Informed Makeup Maven talks green washing and cosmetics and wants you to peek inside her spring makeup bag. Don't forget to check out her giveaway this fortnight, Rimmel recover foundation and Suki UV blotting papers!

Beauty Anonymous brings you YSL Summer 2009 Limited-edition Collection.

LA Pretty's fave new skin cream is making their skin brighter, clearer, and protecting their Pretty faces from the LA sun. And did we mention it's affordable? Find out what it is here

Frappelattes has pictures of Nicole Richie with baby bump #2! Plus, discover where you can find all-natural pregnancy products to make this pregnancy a beautiful one.

This week Average Metro Joe covers an exclusive laser treatment for hair loss that is completely safe for men and women with troublesome hair loss.

Visit The Beauty Couch to read a review of Maybelline's Lash Stiletto and to enter a drawing to win one for yourself!

The Anti Hair Slave shows you how the Instyler really works. Watch the video review to check it out on a REAL person and also learn a couple tips and tricks for super sleek hair.

Check out one of the coolest nail polish innovations Beauty Junkies Unite has seen in a long time! Incoco Dry Nail Applique kits are a hit!

Daily Dose of Coffee tries out the new Jonathan Product Dirt offering: Spray Dirt. Is it worth the hefty price tag?

Are you a Bare Escentuals or mineral makeup fan? Beauty411 tries out the new Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara!

See what Fabulous Over Forty uses for her daily and weekly skincare regimen.

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog is holding a Manic Monday/April Fool's giveaway. Enter to win a Spa Sensuals set. BUT since the giveaway ends on April Fool's Day, Jamie and Beckie are throwing in the kitchen sink of beauty products as well. Don't be fooled. Enter now!

Boutique Flair is one of the first to test some mineral makeup and natural skin care products from the newly launched PRIIA Cosmetics!

eye4style loves the off-kilter luxury of Strange Invisible Perfumes. Check out her review of the three newest scents in the line!

More Than a Pretty Face reminds everyone that the 40% off introductory offer on Daniel Chinchilla Cosmetics line ends March 31. Take advantage of the offer now!

More Than a Pretty Face has a new giveaway: win one of two scented candles from Delirium & Co!

Indian Girl has just the lipstick for lip gloss lovers ! Also, get all your concealer questions answered by pros at Three Custom Color Specialists ! Send in your questions today !

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway. Click here to enter to win a Galvanic Spa II kit, valued over $350!!!

Glossypink tells you how to get Nicole Richie's Blackbook Magazine makeup look!

The Makeup Divas reviews a few products from the new Avon Celestial 2009 Spring Collection.

The Advice Sisters Alison Blackman loves Josie Maran's Tinted MoisturizerRead the review to find out why!

Get The Look: Katie Holmes New Long Hair-by Talking Makeup!

Enter Lipgloss Break's Kitten Vixen Lipgloss Giveaway!

Hot Beauty Health loves Korres new Eco-Friendly Face Primer. Read to find out why!

Have you been looking for Cheap Strivectin? RN Guide to Skin Care found an almost identical item for a fraction of the cost.

Suzanne at Mineral Makeup Reviews reviews Mineral Hygiencis a bismuth free mineral makeup with incredible staying power.

The Beauty Blog is offering a free special report 12 ways to save money on your favorite beauty products when you sign up for The Beauty Insider, a free monthly beauty newsletter from four top rated beauty sites.

This week, Spoiled Pretty is giving away the new June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Collection: four products (shower gel, body balm, mist, and dry oil body spray) to keep the skin hydrated, glowing and beautiful.

Beauty Blogging Junkie shares the deets on the new Dial AntiOxidant Body Wash with Cranberry and AntiOxidant Pearls. You'll never guess what it reminds her of. Find out here.

Essie North Fork Nail Collection for Summer 2009

 

Essie North Fork Collection is a nail color collection that was inspired by the beauty of nature--blue in the sky and the waters surrounding the quaint vacation villages around Long Island's East End.

The three colors in the collection, Greenport, Sag Harbor and Shelter Island, are each named after areas around The North Fork and Long Island Sound.  The nail colors in The North Fork Collection capture the essence of blue. 

• Greenport - Dreamy aquamarine paradise

• Sag Harbor - Cool Silver Blue

• Shelter Island - Sky Blue Radiance

I'm not usually a fan of blue nail polish, but I love Essie's take on blue; it's subtle, tranquil and so pretty.  You can bet I'll be looking to try these colors for spring-into-summer.  Blue will be one of the important colors for spring, so you'll be seeing variations from makeup to nail colections.

The Essie North Fork Nail Collection is a limited-edition collection available beginning April 2009 at www.essie.com, fine spas, salons and beauty destinations worldwide.  SRP $9.00 US/$11 CDN.

Best Long Hair Styles from TotalBeauty

Got long hair? Then we've got 10 celebrity hair style inspirations for you.

Long hair has its pros and cons. Cons: high-maintenance, like keeping split ends at bay and tangles to a minimum. Pros: Practically limitless style possibilities. If you have long hair, check out these hair styles (on stars like Kim Kardashian, "Twilight's" Kristen Stewart and more). The looks are all quick and easy, so you can update your 'do in minutes. See styles

Chanel Summer 2009 Makeup Collection: Cote d'Azur

Chanel has introduced Cote d'Azur, the Summer 2009 Makeup Collection, inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel's favorite resort destinations.  Cool corals, sun-soaked reds, sandy-pink beiges, lush peaches and shimmering coppers with a touch of rose define this summers' vibrant beauty.  The Chanel Cote d'Azur Collection sizzles with the heat of summer!

Soleil Tan de Chanel

 

The cornerstone of the collection is the 4 Facettes Bronzing Powder (above), a limited-edition quartet of bronzing powders in bronze, copper, pink and pale-beige.  The four go-together shades of this sun-kissed palette are all you need for a just-back-from-the-beach look. Worn alone or blended together, they highlight or 'tan' for a subtle, natural glow. Limited Edition.

Precious Bronzing Loose Powder - lightweight powder formula gives skin a naturally beautiful, sun-kissed look.

Bronzing Makeup Base - Light cream-gel bronzing formula allows you to smooth on the perfect shade of tan, while the velvety finish leaves your skin glowing with a beautiful sun-bathed look. Wear it on its own, or for a hint of outdoors radiance, over or under your favorite foundation.

Kiehl's Introduces Marvelous Mineral Mascara

Kiehl's Since 1851, has just introduced new Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara.  Marvelous Mineral Mascara was developed in response to numerous requests from customers looking for a mascara that combines color with conditioning.

Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara is enriched with mineral pigments for rich color; Acacia Senegal for volumizing; Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera for conditioning and Vitamin E for it's antioxidant and moisturizing properties. Marvelous Mineral Mascara offers natural looking length and volume, rich, glossy color and is gentle enough for sensitive eyes.  Perfect!

I've been using new Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara and can tell you that it delivers on it's promise.  After two coats, my lashes are natural looking--no spider eyes. and no irritation.  This is a nice mascara for daytime/work wear. 

You shouldn't expect dramatic lengthening with this mascara; it does build volume and gives a nice, glossy, rich color. Your eyelashes feel conditioned, not dry or brittle. The brush on this mascara is a regular sized brush--with a "chimney-sweep" style of bristles that separate lashes.

Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara is paraben and fragrance free and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.  Marvelous Mineral Mascara is available in two shades:  Black and Black Brown.  If you're a mineral makeup fan or have sensitive eyes, you might want to try this mascara.

Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara retails at $16.50 and is available at freestanding Kiehl's stores and www.kiehls.com.

You might also be interested in:

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara

Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Mascara

New Clairol Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo and Conditioner Collection

Have you noticed the incredibly colorful new Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo and Conditioner Collection?  It stopped me cold in theTarget beauty aisle; bottles of bright colors swirled together. I had to know more.

The Hydralicious shampoos and conditioners contain swirls that are actually two different formulas and when the swirls combine with water, moisturizers are released to repair and protect hair.  The swirls release moisturizers when combined with water. The products are lightly fragranced.

The new Herbal Essences Hydralicious collection includes three shampoos and conditioners:

• Featherweight Hydrator was created for hair that needs body, as well as hydration, to counter the effects of styling and other damage.  This formula, which includes Water lily nectar and passion fruit will coat the hair, but not weigh it down. (Gold swirls)

• Self Targeting Hydrator was created to help get the right balance of hydration in damaged parts of the hair.  Red vanilla and whipped aloe in this formula help to provide extra conditioning only where you need it, such as dry, damaged or split ends. (Pink swirls)

• Reconditioning Hydrator was created for overall dry, damaged and frizzy hair that needs extra conditioning.  This could include color-treated or heat-damaged hair.  Shea, moisturizers and Hawaiin sea silk are blended into this formula for a maximum moisturizing treat. (Purple swirls)

You can mix and match to find the best formula for your hair.  For instance, I liked the Self Targeting Hydrator shampoo paired with the Reconditioning Hydrator conditioner.  You don't need alot of product to get good results; I only use about a dime-sized amount.  The formula is rich, lathers and rinses well without leaving a residue. My hair feels fuller, more moisturized and handles well when styling, without being weighed down or greasy.  The products are budget friendly and value-priced.

Clairol Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo and Conditioner Collection is available at food, drug and mass market retailers nationwide.  You can get more information at the Herbal Essences website.

You might also be interested in:

Aveda Dry Remedy Hair Care Collection

Ojon Tunu Elastik Hair Smoothing Cleanser and Conditioner

Biologique Recherche Skin Care

Biologique Recherche is a French skincare line created by Dr. Phillippe Allouche, with the goal of developing a totally natural skincare product line using plants, herbs and other natural extracts.  It was his belief that retinoids were too harsh for use on skin.  I had heard that some of the products were cult favorites and beloved by those who were really in-the-know about skincare, so I was excited when given the opportunity to try and review the following Biologique Recherche products:

P50W Lotion:  Good for exfoliating, firming lines around the mouth, forehead and eyes.  This product is a vitamin-enriched, exfoliating lotion that purifies, hydrates , tones and balances and controls sebum.  There are three formulas; the famous P50 for normal skin, P50V for more sensitive skin and P50W for mature or very sensitive skin.  The P50 Lotion contains key active ingredients of Usnic Acid, Lactic Acid, Witch Hazel, Onion Extract and Sage Extract.  I used the P50W Lotion in the morning and evening after cleansing as a daily exfoliator.  While the smell wasn't unpleasant, it is "organic".  Over time, I noticed a decrease in pore size, along with brightened and clear skin tone and did not experience any drying effects or feel that my skin was stripped of moisture.

Serum Yall 02:  Biologique Recherche is perhaps most known for it's serums.  The Yall 02 Serum is a treatment serum that fights affects of dehydration and aging by plumping the skin, revitalizing and reinforcing skin's elasticity.  Made with Pomegranate Extract (a powerful antioxidant), Hibiscus and Lily Extracts (known to heal and regenerate), Hyaluronic Acid and 10% Marine Collagen (both rehydrate and plump the skin), Yall 02 is a perfect anti-aging serum.  I used Serum Yall 02 morning and evening after P50W and absolutely love it.  I definitely noticed that with use, my skin was smoother, firmer and softer; fine lines diminished.

Creme MSR "H":  This is a luxurious oxygenating and hydrating cream that helps to correct skin imbalances caused by the aging process.  Creme MSR "H" is recommended for dull, mature and/or wrinkling skin.  Active ingredients include wild yam extract, soy extract vitamin E, beeswax and shea butter.  This was the perfect cream for me to be using in January and February when my skin gets dry and looks lifeless.  It's a silky, elegant cream that makes your skin glow.  My skin felt completely hydrated and comfortable. 

While using all of the Biologique Recherche products, I never experienced any sensitivity or breakouts and I have to say, my skin looked incredible.  I would recommend this line for someone looking for a high quality, natural skincare line.  The only downside is that it may take a little work to locate the products.

Biologique Recherche products are used and sold in exclusive spas and medical practices in over 40 countries worldwide.  For more information, please visit www.biologique-recherche.com or call 1-800-755-5270.

You might also be interested in:

Givenchy Le Soin Noir Age Control Skincare Cream

ReVive Intensite Creme Lustre

Estee Lauder Summer 2009 Bronze Goddess Collection

The Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection has everything you'll need for summer beauty, with limited edition offerings in makeup, skincare and fragrance.  No matter where your summer destinations may take you--or whether you choose to "staycation" at home--instantly transport yourself to a place of honeyed skin and sultry summer days with the Bronze Goddess collection from Estee Lauder. 

All desire.  All heat.  All woman.  The colors of Bronze Goddess make every woman look and feel divine.

 

For Face:

Summer skin calls for softly shimmering warm bronzed color.  Create the look without the suns's damaging rays with an array of bronzing products that deliver a warm, honey glow to the skin.  

• New, limited-edition Bronze Goddess SunBlush Illuminator ($32):  This multi-colored shimmering blush/highlighter enhances skin's bronzed complexion and adds a sun-kissed glow to cheeks.

• Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer ($30), Soft Shimmer Bronzer ($30) and Soft Duo Bronzer ($31): For an all-over healthy glow year-round, this luxurious powder is perfect for virtually any skin tone.

• Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer ($28.50): A sheer liquid bronzer that delivers subtle shimmer to face, shoulders and decolletage.  I've been using this product and I love it mixed it with my moisturizer for the perfect natural, summer glow.

For Eyes: 

• Limited edition Bronze Goddess Sand & Sea Eye Shadow Palette ($40).  Pair cool, sea shades of Turquoise and Aqua with warmer sand tones of Bronze Cube, Gold Nugget, Tea Biscuit and Ginger Drop for instant allure.  I took this collection with me on a recent Florida vacation and it was all I needed for the perfect day and evening summertime looks.

• Limited edition Duo Tone Eye Pencil in Aqua and Teal ($18.50): Definitely pick this double-ended pencil up.  The bright water hues of Aqua and Teal shine with a soft metallic finish that compliments the eyeshadow palette.  Looks great against tan skin!