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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.
Never know what to give mom? Try this personalized gift kit from Coty. Each limited-edition Mother’s Day Fragrance Gift Kit ($15.99 each) includes a full-size fragrance, a $20 savings pass for 1800Flowers.com, a gift bag with tissue paper and a giftable pouch with a customizable “To-From” card. Just choose a favorite fragrance for mom, select the perfect bouquet, and personalize the presentation with the enclosed paper and pouch. Available in the following fragrances: Halle by Halle Berry (a modern, woody/oriental fragrance made with mimosa and fig), Pure Orchid by Halle Berry (a floral, woody fragrance with tropical top notes and an earthy finish), Faith Hill Parfums (a sparkling floral bouquet with a hint of romance) and Celine Dion Sensational (a modern, luminous, floral scent with tantalizing fruity notes). Jovan Musk for Women (a delicate, floral, powdery scent), Jovan Satisfaction for Women (an irresistably alluring, exotic and sweet scent) and Vanilla Fields (an elegant, oriental, woody fragrance). Find them at a mass drug store near you.
I love getting fragrance as a gift. I always remember the person who gifted it, the circumstances and the way I felt when I first worw it. New to market--and just in time for the 2009 holiday season--is girlie by Debra Rodman. The fashion designer and founder of the yoga-inspired label Yogini, created this tough and tender, sweet and sexy, carefree and coquettish scent to celebrate the eternal feminine state of being girlie. The details... Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Clove Buds. Heart Notes: Turkish Rose, Egyptian Jasmine and Chinese Magnolia. Base Notes: Oud, Benjoin, Labdanum, Myrrh, Amber Musk, Vanilla. Blended together, they make up a zesty blend of rare floral and woody tones. The best part: Half of all sales from this perfume will be donated to benefit the children who are atetnding the Man-Rod Academy in Lamu, Kenya which Debra founded. girlie is available exclusively at www.girliebydebrarodman.com.
What happens when you pair a top notch fragrance with a beautiful, architectural bottle? You get this latest find from Bond No. 9. In an effort to spread peace this holiday season, Bond No. 9 bottled its blackcurrent-lily-of-the-valley-cedarwood-musk perfume-ode to peace, The Scent of Peace, in a super-stunning limited-edition Swarovski crafted bottle. Every square millimeter on the surface is smattered with glittering Swarovski stones giving off a deep, rich, non-stop seductive shimmer. The Scent of Peace Superstar bottle is decked out with 2,500 Swarovski stones. Available at www.bondno9.com, it sells for $500. Is it worth the price? You decide.
Wanna be a celebrity? I do! But not for all the obvious reasons. It's because this holiday season, Hollywood A-listers like Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum, Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron got this incredible gift set from Pureology--and I want one! The Holiday Hydrate Kit is the best antidote to cold, dry winter weather. Packaged in an eco-friendly box, the gift set includes three essential products to keep hair hydrated during the winter months: Pureology's top selling HydrateShampoo, HydrateCondition and GlossingMist. The shampoo helps you keep your color from fading and smells like rose, sandalwood and green tea. The conditioner moisturizes without weighing hair down and is scented with peppermint, sage and rosemary. And the GlossingMist offers UVA/UVB protection and gives you a gorgeous, glossy shine. I told my hairdresser about the products and even got her hooked! Click on www.pureology.com and try them for yourself or give them as a gift this holiday season.
