Beauty411

philosophy shower for the cure

shower for the cure is philosophy's pink ribbon shower gel - a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. 

This long-time philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses. And coming from philosophy, you can trust that the fragrance is delicate and not overwhelming.

shower for the cure represents the spirit of every woman and 100% of the philosophy net proceeds from the shower for the cure is donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund.  This is one of the "pink" products that I look for and buy every year.  Love it!

If you know someone who's life has been affected by breast cancer, philosophy's shower for the cure would make a wonderful gift.  

Price: $20.00.  Available at philosophy.com

philosophy Haunted House

philosophy has released their new Fall offerings, including the Haunted House and new seasonal fragrances in the wildly popular 3 in 1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath line.  

No tricks with the philosophy Haunted House...just treats!  The philosophy Haunted House contains a trio of the 6 oz. size of black licorice, caramel apple and the pumpkin spice muffin high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths (3 in 1).  All three fragrances are so unbelievably realistic--but I have to say I totally loved the black licorice! These seasonal fragrances are also available in the 16 oz. size.

What do I love most about the philosophy 3 in 1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths?  Of course, the "hauntingly" addictive fragrances, but also the consistently creative packaging and the excellent quality of the products.  

The philosophy Haunted House retails for $30 and would make an adorable gift.  You can find the Haunted House online at philosophy and Sephora.

Back to School Beauty - College Edition

Back to school time always conjures up so many good memories; probably has something to do with allowing me to indulge in shopping and spending money for a legitimate reason.  Back to school shopping has become a huge business for retailers.  Here are seven of my picks for back to school items, beauty--and otherwise--that you might consider adding to your list:

• New from philosophy, the limited-edition soda fountain 3-in-1 shampoo, bubble bath and shower gel in root beer float, fruit punch and not the pits cherry cola.  I love the 3-in-1 products and count on philosophy to always deliver a bit of fun in a product that really works. And helps to avoids clutter! Available at Sephora.

• When your eyes need a break, try the BIORÉ® Enliven Cooling Eye Gel.  When you need a little help with puffiness or dark circles, BIORÉ® Enliven Cooling Eye Gel holds 3 times its' weight in water to provide intense moisturization.  Perfect for after all the "late-night studying" (wink wink). Available in drugstores and mass market retailers.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20 Moisturizer

Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20 is great news for women that are fans of the original Hope in a Jar moisturizer.  Philosophy has improved on the original Hope in a Jar with the addition of a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen.  I was excited when I first read about the new formula, but was curious to find out if the addition of a sunscreen would change the texture of the cream.  I stopped in to my local Sephora last week and was given a generous sample to try.

Hope in a Jar SPF 20 feels exactly like the original Hope in a Jar.  It's light, easily absorbed and not greasy at all.  Hope in a Jar SPF 20 is still the same great feeling, multitasking moisturizer that it's always been--only better!  Same anti-aging skincare benefits; antioxidants to nourish and protect, lactic acid and reinyl palmitate to exfoliate and improve fine lines and wrinkles.  If you're currently using Hope in a Jar, definitely consider switching when it's time to re-stock, to get the benefits of the sunscreen.  If you're looking for a luxurious moisturizer with an SPF and additional skincare benefits, I would recommend Hope in a Jar SPF 20.

Hope in a Jar SPF 20 is available at Sephora and on the Philosophy website.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives: MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel and More!

Christmas comes twice a year at my house....in December and in July, when Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale.  On July 18^th the race to the cosmetic department will begin, as devoted beauty junkies can seize the opportunity to get a hold of these fabulous items, many exclusive to Nordstrom. 

On July 18th through August 3rd, shoppers nationwide will rise with the sun and rush to their nearest Nordstrom.  This ritual signifies the beginning of the two week period where the limited supply of coveted Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive items become available.  So, what is the best way to guarantee a successful shopping mission?  The answer is easy: PRE-ORDER!

This year, over 100 beauty brands are participating.  Some highlights include MAC, Chanel, Juicy Couture, NARS, Kiehl’s, Laura Mercier, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Bobbi Brown and Philosophy.

You can bet I'll be making my list and checking it more than twice and getting my pre-order in early.  Here are some of the best in beauty: 

Bobbi Brown – Cocoa Mauve Collection, Fall's most-wanted shades for eyes, cheeks and lips in a sleek black nylon cosmetic case.  Colors include Berry Mauve Creamy Lip Color, Iced Mauve Metallic Eye Shadow, Cocoa Mauve Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner and Sand Pink Blush. Price: $65.00.  I'm so ordering this!

MAC

– Colour Forms Anniversary Collection

• Colour Forms Basic Brush set (red).  Price: $49.50
• Colour Forms Advanced Brush set (purple and green).  Price: $49.50
• Beauty Powder.  Price: $22.00
• Powder Blush.  Price: $17.50
• Lipstick.  4 colors Price: $14.00
• Green: Mac Colour Forms Eye Palette Warm:  $38.00
• Purple: Mac Colour Forms Eye Palette Cool:  $38.00
• Red: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Warm: $24.50
• Blue: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Cool: $24.50
• Yellow: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Neutral: $24.50

Laura Mercier - Twilight gift set - Set includes a mini eye mosaic, double ended brush (angled eye and smudge), Lip Glace in Cinnamon, mini eye pencil in purple sapphire, full size black mascara and a 2 oz tube of French Vanilla Souffle body cream, all in a chic brown patent makeup bag.  Price: $55.00.

Trish McEvoy - Micro Mini Makeup Planner.  Price: $68.00 

Chanel

• Nail Lacquer exclusive Rose Tourbillon.  Price: $20.00
• So Chanel Illuminating Powder.  Price: $65.00
• Quatuor Levres De Chanel Satin and Shine Lip Palette  in 10 Les Roses.  Price: $60.00

Philosophy

• Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion

- Giant -size 32 oz jug of Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion.  Price: $40.00

Purity Made Simple - Giant size 32 oz.  Price: $36.50

Amazing Grace Shower Gel - Giant size 32 oz.  Price: $29.50 

Lancome

• Anniversary Eye & Face Palette - Available in two color ways (warm or cool), the metallic patent leather Anniversary palette includes 2 cheek colors and 4 eye colors, with a convenient shadow brush tucked inside.  Price: $52.50
• Anniversary Gift with Purchase – 7 piece collection
• Juicy Tube Set - Available in two color ways (warm or cool), this gift set includes 4 mini Juicy Tubes in a chic patent leather case.  Price: $39.50 

Bare Escentuals

• In Fashion set

- 8 Piece set has everything needed to celebrate style: bareMinerals Flawless Radiance All-Over Face Color, bareMinerals Eye Color in Bahamas, bareMinerals Liner Shadow in Caviar, bareMinerals Blush in Escape, bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Bavarian Crème, Flawless Radiance Blush, Double Ended Precision Eye Brush, all in a black clutch.  Price: $75.00

For the complete list of offerings and pictures, you need to head over to Nordstrom and browse, plot, drool and start making your list.  Pre-orders start TODAY with shipping on July 18th.  While the rest of the world fights the crowds that day, you'll feel all smug that your pre-order beauty haul will be on it's way to you.  So what are you ordering?

 

 

Mother's Day~ Give a gift of beauty!

Mother's Day is such a special time to remember Mom.  Give her a gift of beauty that will help her feel extra beautiful, inside and out.  These are some of my favorites:

Pamper your Mom with Breakfast in Bed:  This cute set from philosophy includes the famous 3 in 1 scented show gels in Cafe au Lait, fresh cream and Belgian waffles fragrances. One of my favorite lines, leave it to philosophy to come up with sweet treats without the calories!  Available at Sephora.

Just in time for Mother's Day is the gorgeous new Gardenia Collection from Kiehl's.  Choose from a variety of products, including Hand & Body Lotion, Gardenia Liquid Body Cleanser and Gardenia Candle.  What a beautiful collection this is...in a classic fragrance that any Mom would love.  Hurry into your local Kiehl's store to mix and match a gift set.

If your Mom's not into fragrance, give her the gift of skincare.  This Pampering Weekend Kit from Liz Earle has everything she needs to feel indulged.  Inside the exclusive vanity case is a selection of mininature Liz Earle Daily Essentials, Bodycare and Special Treatment products.  You can find my review of Liz Earle products here.  Available at www.lizearle.com.

This is the time of year when cosmetic and fragrance companies put together gift sets, which can be a terrific value.  Check out the sets above or head out to your favorite store to pick out something wonderful for Mother's Day.  And who knows, you might find something irresistable for yourself!

Target beauty aisle goes upscale

Have you steered your red cart through the Target beauty aisles lately?  If not, you might be surprised at what you see.  Last weekend, while doing a mad pre-vacation blitz through Target (See?  And you thought I was being lazy not posting every day this week!) I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw names like Kiehl's.  Origins.  And what is this....Kerastase and Bumble and bumble in the hair products aisle?  I have, on occasion, also seen Philosophy, M.D. Skincare, Lumene and other upscale beauty and skincare brands.  Bare Escentuals kits were on an endcap.  What is going on? 

Women's Wear Daily reports that this initiative may signal a further move by Target to showcase luxury brands.  By all accounts, on the fashion side, the GO International program has been very successful with names such as Jovovich-Hawk, Luella Bartley, Alice Temperley and Proenza Schouler, among others.  Adding prestige beauty brands alongside Sonia Kashuk and Boots would be the next logical extension.  Executives from Bare Escentuals, Origins and other beauty brands, have denied a business relationship with Target, suggesting that these goods may have been diverted.  In addition, there seems to be no consistency as to what brands or products are found in individual stores.

Personally, I love the "one stop shopping" concept; hey, if I could pick up Band-Aids, cleaning supplies and a bottle of Kerastase Chroma Reflect shampoo on my weekly Target run, it's all good.  But only to a point.  I don't necessarily want to buy all my beauty products there.  I like the picking and choosing, the tester units, the advice of a trained beauty advisor that I find at my local department store.  But the convenience of finding some of my favorite beauty products at Target is a powerful pull.  Have you seen any of these beauty finds at your local Target? 

Photo credit WWD

Have a heart...Philosophy Candy Hearts

Philosophy Candy Hearts lip gloss trio is like taking a little trip down memory lane.  Remember exchanging Valentine's and getting the little pink boxes of candy hearts with the funny sayings on them?  Philosophy does us big girls one better.  In flavors Melon Daiquiri, Vanilla Birthday Cake and Raspberry Sorbet, the Candy Heart lip glosses are sheer, shimmery and moisturizing.  At $25, this lip gloss trio makes a great gift to keep or split up.  Save the chocolate (and calories!).  Savor the taste of Philosophy Candy Heart lip glosses.  Available at Sephora and on Philosphy's website, where you'll also find the Kiss Me lipgloss duo.  If you just can't seem to find the right words, get a little help from Philosophy.

Philosophy Soul Owner...Rehab for your feet!

Did you take off your socks and suddenly wonder...what ARE those two dried out, cracking, flaking and rough-feeling appendages below my ankles?  No need to be mortified; it's that time of your year where your feet are suffering from neglect as well as the lack of humidity.  Gone are our pretty pedicured sandal-feet from summer.  Send those feet to rehab; check into Philosophy Soul Owner Exfoliating Foot Cream.   

Philosphy Soul Owner is a highly emollient moisturizing cream, loaded with salicylic and glycolic acids that help to keep skin exfoliated and smooth.  It smells slightly like eucalyptus, which is listed as an ingredient. For best results, slather the Soul Owner on your feet and wear socks to bed.  Granted, not the sexiest look, but you'll love your feet in the morning! I also use Soul Owner on my elbows and knees and can't believe how effective this is at helping to keep my skin smooth.  Soul Owner is available on the Philosophy website and at QVC.

Amazing Grace, Amazing Value!

It's no secret.  I adore the amazing grace fragrance from philosophy.  For a limited time only, philosophy's gift to you for shopping early is this Amazing Grace Value gift set at Nordstrom, that features a bubble bath (24 oz.) and a large amazing grace shimmer body puff in a black signature tote bag for only $19!  You read that right!  This is definitely one to stock up on, especially for those last minute gifts, or hard to buy for people.  The fragrance is light and fresh, easy for anyone to wear.  Don't let this one get away!