Beauty411

Anastasia All About Brows Kit

Anastasia All About Brows Kit contains everything you need for creating and grooming the perfect eyebrow.  This brilliant kit contains tweezers, a Brow Powder compact, four Brow Stencils, a Duo Brush (angled cut on one end, a "spooley" on the other), Clear Brow Gel and a Matte Camille Highlighter.  I've been using this eyebrow kit for about 4 weeks now and have really come to love it, especially the Camille Highlighter pencil. 

Anastasia Soare has developed a complete and well-thought out line of eyebrow products, using her Eyebrow Salon in Beverly Hills as a working lab.  To consistently have well-shaped brows, use one of the stencils in the kit that aligns with both the front and tail end of your brow.  You then use the angled brush to apply the Brow Powder, filling in where necessary.  Using the tweezers, pluck hair that falls outside of the line created by the stencil.  Apply Highlighter under brows (I also apply on inner aspect of eye area to brighten). Apply the Brow Gel, then using spooley brush, use upward strokes to hold brow into shape.  Step back and marvel at perfect brows!

The Anastasia All About Brow Kit is available at Sephora and Nordstrom.  Expert services are also available at at Anastasia Brow Studios at Nordstrom locations throughout the U.S.

 Meeting Anastasia and watching her actually demonstrate her technique using the All About Brows Kit was one of the highlights of the Total Beauty Summit that I attended in May.  Check out the video that Laurie from Beauty's Spot shot that day:

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is a great way to kickstart your skin if you've only got 10 minutes and want to look like you've just had a 1 hour facial.  The REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is a potent formulation of of fruit acids (lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric) and papain enzyme that exfoliate your skin, stimulate cell renewal and leave it glowing.  It also contains Omega fatty acids to help skin heal and repair.  This mask is recommended for dull, mature and congested skin prone to blemishes and blackheads.  If you've got sensitive skin, however, skip this product.

It's recommended that you use the REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask weekly, which is what I've been doing.  After applying a generous amount on your face (you can use your hands, but I prefer using a brush), you can smell the citrus and feel a slight tingling.  You leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.  The payoff?  Gorgeous, healthy-looking skin!  Because of it's consistency, it makes a great skincare treatment for summer. 

I'm a fan of the REN line; I've loved every product I've tried and the Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is no exception.  You can find the REN line online at Bluemercury, Bliss, Sephora and Space.NK.apothecary.

Sephora Beauty Book: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin And Hair

While certainly not the definitive guide, the recently published "Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority" is a good read, especially for beauty addicts.  Stylized to look much like the Sephora catalog, it's meant to also have the high-energy vibe of the store.  Throw in beauty advice from industry icons and insiders, great photography and lots of dishing on makeup, this book will inspire you to try a new look.

The book is full of tips and tutorials, such as the one on the Smokey Eye, featuring advice from Carol Shaw (LORAC) and Vincent Longo.  One of my favorite sections is the product shopping guide.  The other chapter I find fascinating is "The future of beauty", where experts in the beauty field take out their crystal ball and predict what's coming next.  All in all, an enjoyable reference and a good read for makeup lovers.

Hourglass Lipstick & Lip Liner

My latest lipstick find is by Hourglass Cosmetics.  I've been using the Hourglass Lipstick and Trace Lip Liner and have been very pleased.  The lipstick, in Fresco, is a muted rose shade and a perfect everyday lip color. I found the lipstick to be long wearing, with smooth application and a natural look for me in this color. The lip liner is a double-ended mechanical liner; on one side you have a cartridge that contains a lip pencil, on the other side is a brush for perfect blending. You know how I love a multi-tasking product!

The Hourglass line has new products that are launching this month, including Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer, Veil Mineral Primer and Superficial Lash Mascara.  Look for the Hourglass line at Sephora.

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!

Practice Safe Sun: Use Your Sunscreen!

No, it's not your mother talking...but it is important to practice safe sun and use a sunscreen daily.  May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and I'm doing my part to help educate and raise awareness.  I wanted to focus on reviewing sunscreens that I've used and like.  For previous reviews on sunscreen products, clicky here.

I was recently on vacation and found out a painful lesson.  Most lip glosses don't include sun protection.  I had a preview of how I'd look with a "trout pout"; not so good.  Some dermatologists are saying that glopping on shiny lip glosses without appropriate SPF protection—and lip gloss rarely offers adequate protection— and can actually increase your risk of developing skin cancer because the shiny nature of the gloss could be making the sun’s UV rays hit harder. “These lip glosses can make more of the light rays penetrate directly through the skin instead of getting reflected off of the skin’s surface,” says Dr. Christine Brown, a dermatologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.  Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF20 is a dermatologist-developed, conditioning gloss that couples the healing benefits of a lip balm with the high-shine of your favorite lip gloss, plus broad-spectrum SPF protection.  Another new product from Neutrogena is Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing Lip Sheers SPF 20, which is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF to help safeguard against additional dryness and damage.  The result is fuller, healthier looking lips. 

In addition to providing excellent UVA/UVB protection, SunEssence Tropical Honey sunscreen smells wonderful!  Think of it as an all-over moisturizer with an SPF 30.  I love the fact that it is light and nongreasy.  SunEssence sunscreens comes in 3 scents:  Tropical Honey, Pink Paradise and Summer Sherbet.  If you'd like an option to sun protection that doesn't include the infamous "coconut" smell, the SunEssence line is for you. The Spearmint Splurge Lip Topping SPF 15 is another option for lip protection. You can find SunEssence retail information here; SunEssence Sunscreens are also now available at drugstore.com.

If you're the type that likes a gel-based texture, you should try TRUE essential SPF30 Gel.  It's a light, broad-spectrum sunscreen that dispenses out of the tube as a lotion, but absorbs easily.  It's oil-free, non-greasy and has a fresh, lavendar scent. 

Another multi-tasking favorite of mine is TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer.  In addition to being an excellent daily moisturizer with an SPF20, this product has anti-aging benefits.  TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer contains NouriCel-MD (the proprietary blend of human growth factors), peptides, antioxidants--it's really working for you. 

Finally, if you just want a lot of variety, purchase The Sephora Sun Safety Kit ($25 – an $87.00 value).  It's available through June 2008 in all Sephora stores, as well as by calling 1-877-SEPHORA or logging on to Sephora.com and includes:

Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 (.05oz) – Rich in vitamins and essential amino acids, this cream protects the immune system of the skin as well as prevents photo-aging.

• Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30 (.25oz) – Great for all skin types, this ultra-light lotion utilizes powerful antioxidants to give extra sheer protection.
• DDF Daily Protective Moisturizer SPF 15 (1oz) – The Doctor is in! Everyday protection from environmental damage with a light non-greasy feel.
• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 (.35oz) – This lightweight lotion provides UVA/UVB protection while working to control oil and reduce shine, leaving the skin even, smooth and flawless.
• Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15 (.17oz) – Nutrient rich moisturizer provides broad spectrum sun protection with anti-aging ingredients to help repair past damage.
• Murad Firming Bronzer SPF 15 (1 oz) – Get that bronzed summer glow without the help of the sun. This light shimmering bronzer helps firm up the skin with cornflower and rosemary and provides broad spectrum sun protection to help prevent environmental damage.
• Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA + + + (.08oz) – Keep your skin protected and hydrated with this light, intensely moisturizing lotion with a powerful UVA/UVB sunscreen.  (One of my personal favorites!)
• MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Pads SPF 30 (6 single use pads) – Pocket sized protection with powerful broad spectrum protection with no residue and quick absorption.
• Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream Ultra Protection SPF 30 (.17oz) – Let the sun shine safely with this ultra luxurious cream that safeguards skin against long-lasting environmental stress.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 (.25oz) – This cult favorite has been revved up with serious sun protection to not only give a flawless finish but also to help repair past damage.
• Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer SPF 15 in “Thursday” (.098oz) – Perfect your pout with this smudge proof tint that provides intense hydration with a soft natural hue; your lips only better!

Make sure to incorporate sunscreen into your daily beauty routine and practice safe sun!

Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics

Napoleon Perdis is an Austrailian makeup artist with a philosophy of empowering women and having a transgenerational approach to beauty.  His cosmetics line launched in the U.S. in 2005 and has been a smash, especially with celebrities like Paula Abdul, Teri Hatcher, Kate Beckinsdale and many others. 

The Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Re-Touch Skin Smoothing Cream is a brilliant gel-to-powder formulation that is like your own version of an airbrush finish.  Once applied to the skin, you can see skin imperfections fade away, giving your skin a flawless finish.  I used the Re-Touch Skin Smoothing Cream prior to applying my foundation.  It is amazing to watch the gel finish disappear and when you touch your skin, it feels powdery.  The product fills in the small lines and allows foundation to sit on top of the skin, as opposed to settling in. The Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Re-Touch Skin Smoothing Cream retails at $70.  Although I did like this product, I would have a hard time justifying spending $70 on what is essentially a primer. 

The Napoleon Perdis China Doll Concealer is really a multi-tasking product.  In addition to using it as a concealer, you can apply it to eyes and use as an eyeshadow base.  I didn't experience creasing with this product; in fact, it dries to a matte finish and did a good job of minimizing my dark circles.  This long lasting concealer is enriched with antioxidants A, C and E, to give the product an anti-aging treatment edge over other concealers.  The Napoleon Perdis China Doll Concealer retails at $40.

Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics are available on HSN, at Sephora, DermStore and on the Napoleon Perdis website.

Bliss The Youth As We Know It Skincare Collection

Bliss The Youth As We Know It Skincare Collection is a new collection of skin care products built around the insanely popular Youth As We Know It Moisture Cream.  Formulated with the 10 most effective anti-aging ingredients, as ruminated on by the skin experts at the Bliss Spa, the new anti-aging lineup of Youth As We Know It includes:

• Bliss the youth as we know it cleanser.  A creamy wash that dissolves makeup, increases hydration, improves elasticity and tone.
• Bliss the youth as we know it toner.  Rebalances skins pH, brightens, soothes and protects collagen.
• Bliss the youth as we know it concentrate .  Contains Hydroplex-3 (the same ingredient in the Youth As We Know It in-spa facial), which imparts a luminous glow, plumps and smoothes skin.
• Bliss the youth as we know it moisture cream.  The popular cream that started it all.  10 anti-aging ingredients that combine to improve radiance, texture, reduce hyperpigmentation and relax fine lines.
• Bliss the youth as we know it eye cream.  Filled with moisturizers (shea butter, squalane), fruit extracts and anti-aging ingredients, this eye cream packs a punch.  It has ingredients to improve dark circles, firm and tone and improve elasticity.

If you want to order the entire set, it's available at Blissworld for $262.  Each individual product is also available separately.  You can also find the line at Sephora and Nordstrom.

Red Carpet Beauty 411: Oscars Edition

You can bet that with 72 hours to the Oscars, Hollywood makeup artists, stylists, estheticians, masseuses and personal assistants are in overdrive.  It takes a village to get a celebrity ready for walking the red carpet.  In fact, Ole Henrikson Face/Body Spa is the place to be for pre-Oscar pampering, as Linda Evangelista has already been in for a facial and Mark Wahlberg is expected, as well.

What beauty trends should we expect to see on the Red Carpet?  Carol Shaw has created the  Best Dressed Face Palette for her LORAC line, based on her experience in getting the stars camera-ready for awards nights.  This palette is on-trend, featuring lavendar/plum and gold eyeshadow shades, perfect for creating a sexy, smokey eye.  As a rule, if the eyes are going to be a focal point, the cheeks should be subdued, so that you can play up a strong lip.  Red lipstick is important because it photographs so well.  Red Carpet Red is a new special edition of the L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor that pays tribute to the Oscars with a limited-edition gold compact  And don't forget the mascara--count on Diorshow to be the favorite of makeup artists to the stars.

Make sure to tune in and see all the Red Carpet glamour at the 80th Annual Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, February 24th at 8pm EST.

N.V. Perricone Advanced Eye Area Therapy

N.V. Perricone Advanced Eye Area Therapy is a breakthrough eye cream.  I rarely (perhaps never) re-purchase an eye cream; there's always a new, more advanced formula to try.  I have to tell you, however, that I would purchase this one again.  What makes it so special?  First of all, results.  Fast and impressive results (disclaimer: your results may differ from mine).  I have dark bluish under-eye circles that are difficult to camoflage and I thought impossible to erase. After the first week and a half of using this eye cream, I saw significant improvement.  I am happy to report that I have now put my concealer away!

The other reason that this product is different from other eye creams is the synergistic combination of ingredients.  As with other treatment products, the ingredients are the key to what the product will do for you.  This eye cream leverages the combination of the following proven ingredients:  Vitamins B-3 (decreases appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging), Vitamin C Ester (firming, brightening and renewal), Vitamin K (for dark circles and discoloration), Folic Acid (improves circulation), Alpha Lipoic Acid (antioxidant), DMAE (firms, lifts, tones)...I could go on but you get the idea.  If you're looking for an anti-aging eye treatment that firms, brightens, nourishes, depuffs, lifts and tones--this is it. Apply the Advanced Eye Area Therapy in the morning and evening, under the eye and moving up to under the brow area, with your ring finger.  The N.V. Perricone Advanced Eye Area Therapy retails for $95 and is available at Sephora, Neiman Marcus (great item to buy during The Beauty Event), Nordstrom, QVC and at the Perricone website.  At Sephora, while supplies last, get a free N.V. Perricone Advanced Eye Area Therapy deluxe sample with any online eye makeup purchase by using code ADVANCED at checkout.