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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.
I don't know about you guys but whenever I've had a long day and just need to crash, the last thing I can think about is skincare. I mean, cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, etc... I just want to fall into bed and catch some zzz's. Which, of course, is no frame of mind to be in when it comes to protecting your skin. Leave it to Envision Beauty to come up with a solution, which is exactly what it's appropriately called. The Solution ($74) is an advanced anti-aging complex designed to restore, perfect and protect. It's a combination day cream, night cream, makeup primer and anti-aging cream in one (how convenient!) Packed with goji berry, acai, grapeseed and vitamins (A, B5, C and E), it smooths on easily and feels like a great base on your skin. But that's not all. THe Solution promises to reduce wrinkle density and the appearance of fine lines, and improve collagen production to promote healthy, radiant skin for all skin types. Founder Kimberly Snyder is not only trying to simplify your life, she's also on a mission to help others. At least 10% of the profits from Envision Beauty go to Project Concern International, a charity that focuses on sustainable, humanitarian projects around the world. So click on www.envision-beauty.com to order The Solution today. Make it an Earth Day gift to yourself.
Be a natural this Earth Day and join the quest by Fresh to promote all natural ingredients. The company's Get More, Give More Earth Day special aims to create awareness for ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil, rose, soy, sugar and Umbrian clay. At the 15 Fresh stores nationwide, customers can see, feel and touch these ingredients and learn about their beneficial properties at specially constructed ingredient bars. You'll also receive a 20% discount on some of these iconic items when you make a purchase. What's more, Fresh will donate 10% of the day's in-store and online profits to The Climate Group, an international, non-profit organization that creates eco-conscious initiatives to ensure a low-carbon, prosperous future. Try the Brown Sugar Body Polish ($65), made of all natural brown sugar crystals, designed to maintain moisture while buffing away dry skin cells, and new Soy Face Cream with rose water and cucumber extract. Go to www.fresh.com to stock up now and make a difference.
If you care one iota about the planet we live on, go on a Tarte shopping spree this month. This eco-chic company, founded by beauty addict Maureen Kelly in 1999, serves up endless healthy, nourishing beauty products packed with skinvigorating ingredients. They are 100% paraben, petro-chemical, phthtalate, sulfate, and synthetic fragrance-free and come in recyclable packages that help reduce environmental waste. For starters, try the Tarte Be Good To Your Mother (Earth) limited edition set ($35) featuring three 24.7 natural lip sheers, appropriately called reduce (shimmery coral), reuse (pink) and recycle (nude) plus a reusable natural cotton tote. They feel velvety soft, offer just a hint of color, contain SPF 15 and come in post-consumer recycled aluminum. Another award-winning option: Tarte Natural Cheek Stain ($28), made of natural mineral pigments. This perfectly swirled solid cheek color glides on ever-so-smoothly, provides antioxidants to keep your skin looking its best and gives you a subtle blush of color. You have 15-20 seconds to blend it into your skin to achieve perfect color placement. Julianne Moore and Ellen Pompeo are fans. Tarte's Rise & Shine Lip Stain and Lip-Enhancing Gloss ($21) is one of my favorite products (one of Katherine Heigl's too!). The gel-based tint adds a decent amount of color (I tried mauve) and the gloss really makes it look natural while adding a healthy dose of shine. To join the crusade in protecting the environment, go to www.tartecosmetics.com and shop Tarte today!
In honor of Earth Day this month, many beauty companies are going green and launching new organic and earth-friendly products. And as part of a special Earth Day promotion, a portion of proceeds from any Physician's Formula Organic Wear purchase ($7-$14) will go to Global Green USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to "fostering a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment." In addition, you get a free lip gloss with a purchase of the blush/bronzer and a free mascara when you buy the tinted moisturizer. Christina Applegate and Laura Linney are fans. Here's why: The brand's EcoCert seal means it's internationally recognized certified organic, ie: the company guarantees the genuine practice of environmental respect throughout the formulation and manufacturing of the product, 100% of the total ingredients are of a natural origin and 16% of the total ingredients are produced from organic farming. It's 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, GMO's (genetically modified organisms), synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances and it's cruelty free. OK, we get it. It's all good. But what about the makeup itself? Made with OrganiSoy to help even skin tone and Eco-Olive, a natural antioxidant that helps shield skin from harsh environmental factors, the fine Italian powder offers buildable color to naturally enhance and accentuate cheeks. I swap the conveniently compact mini brush that's included for my favorite full-size model, brush it across the product to evenly blend the two shades and swipe it on. The color is subtle but can be layered to meet your desired coverage. The compact is equally eco-friendly. At first, it looks a bit cheap in the package but take it out and it feels totally substantial. It looks like it's made of a light-colored wood (but it's really recyclable paper!) and is adorned with green leaves. One side opens to reveal the product and the other houses the mini brush and mirror. It snaps shut easily and securely without any cumbersome latches or hinges (or at least none that show). All in all, it makes me excited for spring. Also try the Loose Powder, Matte Finishing and Bronzing Veil, Eye Shadow Duo, Eyeliner Pencil, Lip Veil and Foundation, all available at Target, Duane Reade, CVS and other mass retailers. Additional info at www.physiciansformula.com.
*This Saturday from 10AM to 6PM, stop by the Go Green Expo at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan (1335 Avenue of the Americas at 53rd Street). Just bring any old plastic compact to the Physician's Formula booth and trade it in for an Organic Wear 2-in-1 blush/bronzer recyclable paper compact for FREE!
I've tried lip colors that add shine, look matte, even plump things up. But this one takes the cake--or rather makes you skip it! Huge Lips, Skinny Hips ($20) is the first lip gloss made with Hoodia, a natural appetite suppressant, and plump-prompting vitamin B3, so you can color and plump your lips while keeping extra pounds off your hips.It comes in five beautiful hues or a clear gloss, all inspired by the creator's favorite things. "It's the perfect secret weapon for surviving cocktail parties without succumbing to all the hors d'oeuvres," says founder Karen Robinovitz. Some of the product's other lip-conditioning ingredients include natural lipids that bind water to the skin, meadow foam to moisturize and lemon peel oil for instant cooling. Choose from Red Sole (a sultry red inspired by Christian Laboutin's famous red heels), Love Your Thighs (a floral coral), Worship Kate (a pink glitter tribute to Kate Moss), Lychee Martini (a frothy pink--my favorite!), No Panty Lines (shiny clear) and Kitty Poledancer (the perfect nude and a nod to Robinovitz's love of dancing. Do your lips--and your hips--a favor and pick one up later this month at Scoop or Space N.K.
Talk about a sticky situation: You're fresh out of the shower and you smooth on an all-over body lotion. After rubbing it in, your skin feels a bit sticky. And if it feels that way now, you're probably not looking forward to moisturizing once the weather heats up. Leave it to Vaseline to introduce Aloe Fresh, a breakthrough line of light lotions that leave skin feeling smooth, not sticky. And the incredibly low prices guarantee that once you buy them, you won't find yourself in a financially sticky situation either. My favorite is actually a gel format: Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Gel (6.8 oz.; $5.49). It's made with 100% natural aloe vera--as if you broke open an aloe vera leaf and squeezed some out yourself. It glides on smoothly and instantly hydrates and revives your skin, replenishing its natural balance. For those who prefer a creamier texture, try Aloe Fresh Hydrating Lotion (24.5 oz., $5.49; 10 oz., $2.99), a fast-absorbing formula, or Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion SPF15 (20.3 oz., $5.49), a lightweight lotion that hydrates skin and protects it from the sun. Who would have thought there was so much more to this highly-acclaimed brand than the traditional goopy stuff. For more info, check out www.vaseline.com.
Going somewhere? Put this on your packing list--the Bon Voyage Anti-Aging Travel Set from Lierac Paris ($28). Dry cabin air on an airplane, free radicals and pollutants can all wreak havoc on your skin. These travel essentials--in airplane-approved size bottles--are designed to combat slackening and restore the resilience of younger looking skin. What's in the collection? Eau de Soin Demaquillante Cleansing Water for Face and Eyes to eliminate impurities while protecting sensitive skin. The non-rinse formula (pretty convenient if you're on a plane, right?) has lily and chamomile extracts plus softening and anti-inflammatory properties, and is designed to clean and smooth skin. Other treats: Coherence 21-Day Intense Lift Serum, a featherweight serum that provides intensive action against skin slackening, Coherence Day Cream with highly firming, moisturizing, protecting and energizing benefits, and Coherence Night Cream with relaxing and repairing skin enhancing benefits (makes skin feel firmer, smoother and look well-rested). The best part: You don't have to be taking a vacation to try it. Just go to www.beauty.com and place your order.
