Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.

After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

escape the winter: mineral sun protection


Just when I thought mineral beauty products couldn't get any better, I found Colorscience micronized mineral sun protection--perfect timing with winter vacations just around the corner. Colorescience Sunforgettable has SPF 30 as well as UVA and UVB protection. But the appeal isn't only in the breakthrough formula, it's also in the totally innovative packaging. Leave messy tube applicators and oily bottles behind. This mineral sunscreen is available in shaker can, dispensing brush or roller ball applicators. The shaker is great for hard-to-reach areas like your face, neck and shoulders and comes in a clear, perfectly clear or almost clear shade. The powder shakes easily out of the can and smooths into skin. The dispenser brush distributes just the right amount of powder to the face and neck and is great for more targeted areas like the sides of the nose or those prone-to-burn eyelids. The roller ball applicator covers larger surface areas so use it all over your body. No matter which you choose, you get the same great formula and unforgettable protection on your skin. I don't know about you but my vacation can't come soon enough! Available at fine day spas, resorts, dermatologist and plastic surgeon offices and makeup artists’ studios, Colorscience has attracted celebrity fans like Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl, Kelly Rowland and Christina Aguilera. For more information visit:www.colorescience.com.

the right to bare all

Word on the street: completely bare spa is stirring up quite a scene at its Bowery location (25 Bond Street, NYC) with a new interactive Christmas display! Fans are heading downtown to take their picture with the completely bare bond girl! And when you take your picture and tag completely bare in it, you get a percentage off of a treatment! Who wouldn't want that? The spa is known for its expertise in hair removal and has been a landmark beauty spot in New York City for years. (Since its debut in NYC in 1998, completely bare spas have opened in Scarsdale, NY and Palm Beach, Florida, in addition to other neighborhoods in Manhattan). From the ouchless wax treatment to laser hair removal to razor bump solutions and at-home waxing kits, owner Cindy Barshop knows how to smooth out any hair removal concerns. While I've heard about all of the shop's amazing hair removal treatments, I never knew completely bare had its own skincare line including completely clean antioxidant facial cleanser ($24), completely buff exfoliating crystals ($32) and completely blocked SPF 30 antioxidant sunscreen ($26--there's an SPF 45 too). I love the feel of the cleanser on my skin almost as much as I love the way it makes my skin feel afterward--smooth and clean. I mixed it with some exfoliating crystals to remove dry, dead skin and the result was an even softer, smoother effect. The crystals fine enough to avoid irritating my skin yet strong enough to make me feel the granules working. Though I love the smell of the antioxidant sunscreen, I haven't tried it yet. I'll get back to you after winter break! Try them for yourself at www.completelybare.com.